Gillingham defender Jack Tucker has opted not to stay with the club and has signed for Milton Keynes Dons instead.

The 22-year-old, a product of the Gills academy system, made his first appearance in October 2017 at ME7 as a substitute in a live televised game against Portsmouth. 

He made his first league start in September 2019 against Ipswich Town and scored his first Gills goal a couple of months later in an EFL Trophy tie against Tottenham Hotspur U21’s. He also enjoyed loan spells with Hastings United and Greenwich Borough. 

He has won the club’s “Young Player of the Year” four times and won “Goal of the Season” in 2021/22 following his excellent strike against Wycombe at Priestfield.

Jack made 137 appearances for the Gills in all competitions, scoring four goals.

A statement from Gillingham reassured fans that a fee would have to be paid for Tucker’s services, but an agreement had yet to be met between the two clubs. It reads:

“Being under the age of 24, and out of contract, Gillingham are due a compensation figure and the two clubs remain in dialogue regarding this matter.”

“Everyone at the club would like to thank Jack for his services and we wish him well for the future.”

Tucker officially joins MK Dons on July 1st on the conclusion of his current Gillingham contract and if the two clubs can’t agree a fee, it will go to a tribunal to decide how much compensation The Gills are due.