Gillingham have signed defender Adam El-Abd on loan from Championship side Bristol City.

The 31-year-old will stay at Priestfield for the rest of the League 1 campaign and goes straight into Justin Edinburgh's squad for the home match with Chesterfield on Saturday.

El-Abd spent three months on loan at Swindon Town earlier this season, making 14 appearances.

The experienced defender enjoyed 11 years at Brighton and Hove Albion before signing for Bristol City in 2014.

He also has been capped by his country, Egypt, seven times.

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson said: “It will be good for Adam to go out on loan and get regular football under his belt. We’ll keep track of his progress throughout and we always have a recall option should we be left short.”

The deal runs until May 8 although a recall option will apply after the first 28 days of the loan period.

El-Abd's arrival comes after the Gills failed in their attempts to sign Cardiff defender Deji Oshilaja.

Edinburgh had been confident of bringing the defender back on loan at Priestfield but his parent club have now decided they need him to cover for injuries.