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Lomas joins Gillingham

Former QPR midfielder Steve Lomas has joined League One side Gillingham ahead of the new season. Meanwhile there's news on Jon Munday, Arthur Gnohere, Paul Furlong and Jimmy Smith as the summer silly season draws to a close.

Lomas had been linked with Championship side Colchester following his release from Loftus Road at the end of last season but has today signed for League One Gillingham on a free transfer.

Gills manager Ronnie Jepson told the official website: "Lomas is a tremendous signing for the club and will be an excellent addition to our squad."

Gillingham Chairman Paul Scally said: "Steve has played at the highest level but still has tremendous enthusiasm for the game. He will be a great asset and further outlines the ambition that I hold for both this football club and the manager."

Lomas made 36 appearances for QPR last season and won his 45th Northern Ireland cap, and first for three years, in a friendly against Everton earlier this summer.

Elsewhere former QPR defender Jon Munday has signed for Conference outfit Kidderminster on a free transfer after a successful trial. Munday signed a one year professional contract at Loftus Road when his old youth team gaffer Gary Waddock was in charge but left Loftus Road without making a single first team appearance.

He impressed sufficiently in a friendly draw against FC United earlier this week to be offered a one year contract at Aggborough.

Manager Mark Yates said: "John will provide good competition for Mark Creighton and Stuart Whitehead and it was important to bring someone in to do that. We've got competition in all areas of the team now, which is something we've been looking for. John is young, and I think we've now got 11 players who are under 22 to go with the experienced lads."

Meanwhile former Rangers striker Paul Furlong started for his new club Luton at Oxford on Monday night, the home side including former QPR defender Arthur Gnohere in their line up. Big Art of course left QPR under a bit of a cloud and only managed the first half of this game which finished 2-1 to the visitors. Furlong assisted the first Luton goal.

Finally Jimmy Smith who chose Norwich City ahead of QPR for his loan move this summer will miss the first six week of the campaign after damaging his ankle in a summer tour game against FC Zwolte. Manager Peter Grant described the tackle that inflicted the injury as "not the best" but then he would know after his lunge that shattered Paul Murray's leg at Carrow Road a few years back. Murray is now preparing for life in the SPL with newly promoted Gretna.

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