Ex-Portsmouth youngster Jack Nolan signs with new EFL club after sensational 2023/24 campaign

The former Pompey youth footballer and Blues fab Jack Nolan has been confirmed as Gillingham’s latest signing. The 23-year-old winger had an exceptional season in League Two with Accrington Stanley, scoring 17 goals as the side finished in 17th place.

However, after two years with the outfit and following a difficult season both on and off the field, Nolan has moved on to the 12th-placed finishers and will begin pre-season training camp with them in a few weeks time.

Speaking on the club’s website, the ex-Pompey youth star said of the move: “I’m absolutely delighted. Buzzing to get (the deal) done and really looking forward now to getting to pre-season. I want to say thank you to Accrington for everything but I am delighted to be here, delighted to get it sorted and I can’t wait for the new season to start now.”

Following the season in which he secured 31 goal contributions, Nolan was receiving plenty of transfer interest but when asked why he had opted to sign with Mark Bonner’s Gillingham, the former Blues youngster said: “When I spoke to the manager I just felt really wanted, the plans that they’ve got going on for next season and beyond it’s something that I want to be a massive part of and something I feel I can help achieve so once I’d had that conversation my mind was made up.

“The manager said the system he wants to play, and said how I’d fit into it and it was something I thought suited my game to a tee so that’s why I wanted to make the move happen. Now it’s time to crack on and I’ll give my best to Gillingham and my new teammates and have another season like I did last year.” The winger was also questioned on whether he believes he can recreate his goal-scoring magic at the Priestfield Stadium to which he added: “That would be nice wouldn’t it! I had a good season last year and I just want to knuckle down and hopefully return that this season and hopefully get us to the right end of the table. It’s a new challenge and one that I’m buzzing to get going with.”

Born in Portsmouth, Nolan left the south coast outfit at the age of 14 to join Reading, turning down an opportunity to sign with Pompey’s rivals Southampton. The 23-year-old moved on without making a senior appearance at the Madejski Stadium, joining Walsall before being picked up by League Two’s Accrington Stanley on a free in 2021.