Ex-Sunderland defender John Egan joins Gillingham

Ex-Sunderland defender John Egan has agreed a two-year deal with League Two side Gillingham.

A number of clubs have been chasing Egan since Sunderland decided against renewing his contract at the Stadium of Light last season, with Blackburn said to have been keen on the 21-year-old. Southend were also hopeful of signing the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international after he helped them to the League Two playoffs during a loan spell.

Martin Allen's Gillingham have won the race for the centre-half, who never made a first-team appearance for the Black Cats, despite being highly rated as a youngster.

Egan's progress was disrupted by a double leg break during a loan spell with Bradford, which kept him sidelined for around a year.