Gillingham bring Hearts midfielder Olly Lee back to Priestfield

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:43, 15 January 2021

Updated: 14:45, 15 January 2021

One of last season’s star performers has returned to Gillingham.

The Gills have secured midfielder Olly Lee on loan from Hearts for the rest of the season.

Lee made 28 league appearances for the Gills in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign, scoring twice on his debut in a 5-0 win over Bolton.

He added two more league goals and also scored the equaliser in an FA Cup first-round tie at Sunderland, with Gills winning the reply en route to reaching round three.

Other clubs were in for the former West Ham youngster but Lee, 29, has decided to rejoin the Gills.

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Boss Steve Evans said: “I am delighted to bring back a player who was outstanding for us last season.

“Olly is a top-class player, a brilliant professional and brings some class to our attacking play.

“The lad had numerous options in League 1 but when I rang him he made it clear if we can agree loan terms with Hearts, we would be his first choice.”

Lee, son of ex-Newcastle star Rob, also had a loan spell with Gillingham in 2011.

Gillingham’s squad was looking light after five loanees - Arsenal duo Zech Medley and Trae Coyle, Coventry pair Josh Eccles and Declan Drysdale and Celtic youngster Scott Robertson - returned to their parent clubs.

But Evans has been busy in the market with Lee’s arrival following deals for Southampton players Callum Slattery and Tyreke Johnson.

The Gills visit Accrington tomorrow, with Evans expecting a tough game.