Defender Remeao Hutton has signed for a new club after an agreement was made to terminate his contract at Gillingham.
The Gills say the decision was mutually agreed and ends a two-and-a-half-year spell at the club. He’s now joined Gillingham’s League Two rivals Chesterfield.
Hutton, 27, joined the Gills for an undisclosed fee from Swindon Town in January 2024 – the first signing for then manager Stephen Clemence – and became a regular in the side, making 115 appearances during his time at the club.
The Gills said: “We would like to place on record our thanks to Remeao for his services and we wish him well for the future.”
Following the move to his new club, Hutton said: “I can’t wait to get going. It’s been a few weeks now since I heard about the interest and obviously it’s taken a while, but I’m happy to get it over the line now.
“I know what the team is capable of. I know what they’ve done in the past few seasons; they’re always up and around it and hopefully we can get promoted together.”
Hutton’s time at the Gills didn’t get off to a great start after a bizarre video surfaced shortly after joining, stating he would be bringing “gay business, some racism,” and other things to the club.
The right-back arrived with an impressive assists record but was unable to replicate that form at Gillingham. Former assistant boss Richard Dobson stating how they were keen to improve his crossing ability.
Last year, he said: “He throws a lot of balls in the box but the next step for him in his game is to be that David Beckham-like cross where you put it on someone’s head and say go on and hit the back of the net.”
Following his departure, Gills boss Ainsworth said: “First of all, thanks to Remeao. He gave everything for me. He’s played a part in the history of the (21-match unbeaten) record last year, and I think that it was probably time for him to move on.
“I wanted to bring some fresh blood in and change quite a bit. It’s horrible because you have good characters and good people in the building, but change is just needed sometimes, a big change in personalities and that sort.
“When we were speaking to Rem, I said ‘I’m going to bring a couple of players in that I’ve worked with before. It’s not going to be a secure first-team start for you every week. If there’s other options, then explore them’.
“Rem’s been great. He’s been a really, really honest, good lad, family man. A little bit closer to home, which I think suits him, being totally honest.
“I think he would have stayed and grafted and fought for his place, but he moves on now and the space is opening up. We’re thankful for what he’s given us, as I was for the 16 I released in the summer but we move forward in football; that’s football.”
