Young Gills forward Luke Rooney has joined Blue Square Premier side Eastbourne Borough on loan for the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old, who recently signed a two-year contract that will keep him at Priestfield until 2012, has made 13 appearances for the club this season.

He joins an Eastbourne side who are struggling near the bottom of the table and facing a relegation battle.

The youngster made an immediate impact on his League debut in September by scoring in the 3-0 victory over Exeter.

He followed that up with a fine strike during a 4-1 defeat at Southampton a month later.