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Archived News from August 2020

ALEX MACDONALD SIGNS FOR GILLINGHAM
20th August 2020 23:12


Gills clinch the signing of Alex MacDonald
FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 2020
https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2020/august/gills-sign-macdonald/

Tireless midfielder agrees contract with the Gills.

Gillingham have clinched the signing of former Championship and Scottish Premier League midfielder/forward, Alex MacDonald, ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The former Burnley man has put pen to paper on a permanent contract at MEMS Priestfield Stadium, and is set to be involved for the club’s pre-season friendly at Colchester on August 15.

Alex, who left Mansfield Town earlier this summer, is reunited with former boss Steve Evans having played under the Gills Manager at Field Mill during the 2017/18 campaign. The player considered offers from three clubs in League 1 but he has joined up at Priestfield Stadium.

In January 2017 he joined Mansfield Town from Oxford United; the Stags were under the guidance of Steve Evans and the player spent three-and-a-half years at the club, playing in 123 games.

The energetic midfielder has also represented Scotland at U19 and U21 level, claiming 14 caps and scoring seven times in total.

Boss Steve Evans was clearly delighted to have secured Alex’s signature prior to the first pre-season game.

He said: “Macca is a top class player in League 1 when he is focused.

“Like Jacob Mellis, he is experienced and eager to play here. I thought he was going to stay in the Midlands in League 1 but I was keen to get him here and our Chairman made it happen. Not a big name signing, but a very good player who our fans will like very quickly."

The player himself added: "It's been a weird summer but to finally get signed is a relief and, after training this week, I'm really excited.

"The Gaffer found a way to get the best out of me while at Mansfield; he rang me and wanted me to come down and luckily enough we got the deal over the line."

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AM: "I enjoyed working under the Gaffer & Rayns at Mansfield so it was a pretty easy decision when he called me up.

"It was something I was really interested in. Steve got me playing my best Football when in central midfield."

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MacDonald becomes Gills seventh summer signing
FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 2020, BY LEWIS BROWNING

https://www.kentsportsnews.com/macdonald-becomes-gills-seventh-summer-signing-14-08-2020/?fbclid=IwAR3fSPQTstHWumql6wm_5IPOJxYzXYwZ-koTwTH_ZaIadjQxligo0dZsluQ

Gillingham have completed the signing of versatile midfielder Alex MacDonald ahead of the 2020/21 season.

MacDonald, 30, becomes manager Steve Evans’ seventh signing of the summer and is expected to feature when the squad get their preseason campaign underway at Colchester United on Saturday.

He can play either out wide or in central midfield and joins up with the Gills squad after being released by Mansfield at the end of last season.

After working his way through Burnley’s academy, MacDonald played 17 times for the Claret’s first team before a spell in Scotland with Falkirk and Inverness.

He then moved back to England and turned out for Plymouth Argyle, Burton Albion and Oxford United, before moving to Mansfield in January 2017, where he played under Evans.

He remained at Field Mill until the end of last season, when he was released.

He has also been capped by Scotland at youth level.

MacDonald is known around the Football League for his versatility and hard work. With him able to cover a lot of ground, Gills fan can expect a lot of running.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans told the club website: “Macca is a top-class player in League One when he is focused.

“He is experienced and eager to play here. I thought he was going to stay in the Midlands in League One, but I was keen to get him here and our chairman made it happen.

“Not a big name signing, but a very good player who our fans will like very quickly.”

MacDonald said: “It has been a weird summer, but to finally get signed is a relief and after training this week I am really excited.

“The gaffer found a way to get the best out of me while at Mansfield. He rang me and wanted me to come down and luckily enough we got the deal over the line.”

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