Gillingham are reportedly interesting in picking up free agent Scott Malone after his contract with Millwall expired, with KentOnline even speculating that the 32-year-old is present in Como on a pre-season trip with the Gills.
Malone was recently let go of by Gary Rowett’s Lions in the club’s retained list, joining Mason Bennett out of the exit door at the Den.
The left-back had amassed 189 appearances for Millwall over multiple different spells at the Den, scoring 14 in total with the versatile defender sometimes playing further forward on the wing.
Now, he could be swapping South East London for Kent if rumours are correct that Malone is an imminent signing at the Gills.
Who Is Scott Malone?
Scott Malone would start his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, coming through the academy at Molineux but never going on to make a first team appearance.
Instead, he would start to make an impression out on loan away from the West Midlands – a loan spell with AFC Bournemouth transpired into Malone leaving Wolves for good, scoring twice with the Cherries before relocating permanently to the South Coast.
Although, this move was ultimately short-lived. Malone would leave AFC Bournemouth after one season, joining Millwall in the process.
He would feature for the Lions over three campaigns, the 2013-14 season even saw the 32-year-old full-back come second in a Player of the Year vote at the Den.
Cardiff City would come calling next for the defender but injuries would put a dampener on his time in the Welsh capital, moving on to Fulham, Huddersfield Town and Derby County along the way.
Malone would manage to score six goals in his one-season stay at Craven Cottage, leading to Huddersfield Town – who were playing top flight football at the time – to come calling for Malone’s services to swoop him from the Championship.
Fast forward to now, and after making 33 appearances in the second tier for Millwall last campaign, Malone could well drop down two divisions to join Gillingham.
Gillingham’s Impressive Backing
Gillingham potentially signing Scott Malone would be viewed as a coup, but it would also be a sign of the progress made under the new Gills owner Brad Gallinson.
The American owner has injected cash into Gillingham but also injected belief, many viewing next season at Priestfield as a potential promotion-winning one.
It wouldn’t be the first time Gillingham had poached talent from higher up the EFL, Timothee Dieng joining the Gills in January from League One Exeter City.
Malone would arguably be even more impressive, the defender playing over 300 games in the Championship over a lengthy career.
Writer’s View
Optimism around Gillingham is sky-high at the moment, many Gills fans are expecting their side to challenge near the top of League Two next campaign under Neil Harris.
Adding Scott Malone – who will know Harris from his Millwall days – will only further expectations that Gillingham can win promotion to the third tier this coming season.
Rumoured to be out with the squad in Como before the Gills play some friendly matches out in Italy, it could well be a transfer deal that is announced imminently.
