Gillingham have signed a new midfielder – but fans will have to wait to see him in action.
Nelson Khumbeni has joined for an undisclosed fee from Bolton Wanderers on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
His arrival comes too late to be involved on Saturday against Doncaster Rovers.
The Malawi-born 22-year-old came through the youth ranks at Norwich City where he turned pro before signing for Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2022.
He remained on the fringes of the Bolton team and hd loan spells at both AFC Fylde, Morecambe and most recently Accrington Stanley.
Khumbeni spent the first half of this season at Accrington and made 24 appearances – the last of which was against Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup a week ago.
He’s the second arrival in the winter transfer window, following the signing of winger Asher Agbinone last week from Crystal Palace.
Speaking to the club after signing, he said: “I am delighted, over the moon to get it done at such a big club, especially for this league that should be pushing towards the top end of the table, I am very excited and can’t wait to get going.
“I like to think I have done well out on loan and put my name out there. The next stage is to kick on a bit more and show what I’m about in terms of a footballer and a person as well.
“I’d like to say I am dominant in the middle of the park, I get around, I am pretty quick, can do the nitty-gritty stuff on top of that and being nice and neat with the ball as well. I’ll put in 100% every game.
“As a player, you want to step on the grass as many times as possible and hopefully that opportunity comes next week (at Tranmere) and whenever my chance comes I have to be ready and stay ready.”
