Gillingham’s impressive summer business continued today as they secured the capture of Kyle Dempsey following his release from Fleetwood Town.
It is believed that the highly-rated 24-year-old had a number of suitors higher up in League One, making his acquisition the latest in a typically busy summer for manager Steve Evans.
Dempsey began his career with Carlisle United, where he scored 11 times in 51 appearances, winning the club’s Player of the Year in 2015. That earned him a move to Championship side Huddersfield Town for a reported fee thought to top £300,000. He appeared 24 times for the Terriers before Fleetwood Town bagged him on a season-long loan in August 2016, before agreeing on a permanent three-year contract a year later.
While at Highbury he made 146 appearances, as well as spending time on loan at Peterborough under current Gills boss Steve Evans. Evans has been typically enthusiastic about his new player, telling the club’s official site: “Kyle is a top talent and we are delighted he has chosen us over some very big clubs in League One.
“I met his parents and, believe me, the family are salt of the earth, really genuine people. They wanted their boy to join a manager who believed in him fully and I am delighted he is here. He is simply a superb signing.”
Dempsey revealed that speaking to Evans helped convince him a move to Kent was the right thing to do for his career: “I’m delighted to come down here and start a new chapter in my life. After speaking to the Gaffer last week everything was said to me in a positive way; I’m 24 years old and I needed to pick the right club where I felt I would develop my Football the most.”
How much do you know about Football League grounds? Time to test your knowledge here
| [freshpress-quiz id=”13630″] |
Our View
This is a strong piece of business for Gillingham. Dempsey has lots of experience at this level and Steve Evans once again proved he knows how to work his former contacts, having managed him briefly at Peterborough.
Of course, in true Evans style, he’s heralding this as a huge signing, as he did Lee Angol at Mansfield and Matty Willock last summer, but this time he might just be right. Dempsey is a great age to be arriving on a free and has the potential to help kick the Gills further up the table.
Steve Evans might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but when did he last have a club in a relegation dogfight?
Reaction
O M F G ……. It's far too early to be giving out news like this, my bladder is still on its first coffee… what a bit of work that is by the chairman and gaffer .. welcome to the theatre of mixed emotions Kyle … soon to be dreams, followed by reality …
— Loonpotter (@Loonpotter) August 17, 2020
Outstanding signing for you lot!
Will bring much-needed goals to your side but also creativity. Some side you are sticking together 👍🏻
— Off The Crossbar (@OTDDotBar) August 17, 2020
That’s an outstanding signing. Lots of big clubs sniffing around him. Young but very experienced. Well done gaffer and chairman
— Chris Rainbow (@chrisrainbow78) August 17, 2020
Yeah mate coming together nicely a few away still but good core already
— Matt Bloor (@Bloor_08) August 17, 2020
Woah! Great signing!! Welcome to Priestfield Kyle! Hope you have a great time here, it going to be a cracking season I’m sure! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ⚽️
— Kerry (@Jackpop27) August 17, 2020
Gotta give it to the gaffer, he knows how to negotiate
— Morgs (@MorgsEdu) August 17, 2020
What a signing!!!! What a team we are going to have..
— Dazelle (@Nunn39) August 17, 2020
Be the first to comment