SIMON Osborn has joined Gillingham on a free transfer. The 29-year-old midfielder decided to sign a two-year contract at the Kent club after failing to agreed a contract at Port Vale where he was only on a short term deal.

The former Wolves and Tranmere player, who has been the subject of two £1million moves during his career, passed a medical on Thursday and was added to the squad for the home clash with Norwich.

Osborn made his debut for the Gills with just ten minutes remaining on Saturday and, although the visitors scored two goals soon after, Hessenthaler says he'll be useful addition to the squad.

He insisted: "We've got Simon at the club now so we may make a few changes for our next game but we're not going to disrupt it too much."