Former Wanderers goalkeeper Jake Turner has joined Gillingham following his release by Newcastle united.

Turner joined the Whites’ youth ranks at the age of 14 and was called upon as first-team understudy to Ben Alnwick and Mark Howard in the Championship.

However, the 6ft 4in goalkeeper left the UniBol in the summer of 2019 amid the club’s issues off the pitch.

He failed to make a first-team appearance for the Magpies, spending time on loan at Morecambe and more recently Colchester United.

Turner was one of eight players released by the North East club this summer and has now found a new home at the Priestfield Stadium.

Speaking back in May, he told The Bolton News: “I am out of contract… but there are other people in the same shoes as me. I believe in myself and I know I have done enough in the last two years.

“I wish I had played more games but with the circumstances I wasn’t able to. Now I want to find the right club and hopefully make the right decision.

“I have played a few games now and I am 23, so I know there are younger keepers who are playing but I am still quite young for a ‘keeper.

“I think at this stage of my career I want to be playing as many games as I can – help a team get promoted, stay in the league, get as high as they can. Be that League Two, League One, Championship.

“That is what I am hopefully going to find - a club where I can show what I can do, they believe in me and help me improve. I still want to get better and push myself.”

Gillingham were relegated from League One last season on goal difference after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Rotherham on the final day.

The Gills also bolstered their goalkeeping department with the addition of Ashley Maynard-Brewer on loan from Charlton earlier this week.

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