Gillingham’s new striker will be hoping to cause League 2 defenders nightmares next season.
Seb Palmer-Houlden signed for the Gills last week from Bristol City after a season playing on loan for Scottish Premiership side Dundee. He’d had an impressive loan spell at Newport County in League 2 the year before that.
The 21-year-old is confident he can have a positive impact on a Gills side who haven’t been prolific in front of goal in the last few seasons.
Describing what he brings to the team, he said: “I’ve played in the league. I know what it’s all about and hopefully I can bring my experience across.
“I’m a fast runner, I like to get in behind, like to score goals, like to press high up the pitch and cause defenders nightmares.
“I like to get the fans off the seat and I’m a hard worker.
“It’s a new start and I can’t wait for it to begin.
“I’ve never played with anyone in this squad before so it is going to be completely new for me but I’m looking forward to meeting all the boys – I’ve heard they are a great group of lads.
“I’m so excited to be here and I can’t wait for the season to start.
“I’ve looked around the stadium, looked around the training ground and it’s amazing.
“I just can’t wait to meet the fans and get going.”
Palmer-Houlden left his hometown club Bristol City for a new beginning at the Gills.
He’d been with the Championship side since the age of eight but never managed to make a league appearance for them.
He will join the Gills on a three-year-deal on June 1 after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
“I’m always going to have a soft spot for Bristol City, coming all the way through the ranks,” he said. “They’ve given me the opportunity to be where I am today.
“But it’s a new start and I just can’t wait to begin.”
Palmer-Houlden was Newport’s young player-of-the-year for the 2023/24 season and Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth said they faced plenty of competition for the striker’s signature after a positive season in Scotland, on loan at Dundee.
“The fans in Dundee were brilliant to me,” the striker said.
“Every game they supported me. It was different.
“I learnt a lot about myself, learnt what I need and I missed the family loads but this now is a great experience and we’ll see what happens.”
