GILLINGHAM have signed Saints defender Tom O’Connor on loan for a second time.

The versatile 21-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international made 32 appearances for the Gills last season, scoring once.

And he has now linked up again with Steve Evans's League One side. Evans told the club's website: “I have been talking to Southampton and Tommy all summer and I was always confident if the lad was going out on loan we would be his preferred choice.

“Our supporters know how talented he is. He can play anywhere on the left side of the pitch, has great energy and as a kid himself he will fit in very comfortably with the youth we now have in our squad.”