NEWPORT County AFC academy graduate Dominic Jefferies is relishing the chance to prove himself in the Football League after signing for Gillingham.
The 20-year-old will feature in League Two in the coming campaign after moving from Brentford B, where the midfielder was named player of the year after captaining the Bees' second string to the London Senior Cup.
Jefferies, from Caerleon, made five appearances for the Exiles in the 2019/20 EFL Trophy and featured in the FA Cup win at Maldon & Tiptree.
He had a spell on loan at Salisbury in the Southern League Premier Division South and returned to them after being released in 2020 before heading for Brentford.
Now Jefferies will test himself in League Two with Gillingham, and go up against his former club County.
🧣📸@Domjefferies pic.twitter.com/FpC9GtK9bh
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) June 16, 2022
"I can't wait to get going," said Jefferies. "I came down here last week to look at the facilities and to meet Neil [Harris, manager]. It was a no-brainer for me, I'm buzzing to get started and can't wait for the season.
"I live in Wales, so it took about four hours to get here. It doesn't bother me though; I don't get homesick and I'm just happy to be here.
"I'm leaving Brentford with a heavy heart, it was my first year in a professional environment. They had Premier League facilities with high standards and everybody pushed each other every day.
"I learnt a lot in that year, more than I imagined to be honest.
"I worked to the best of my ability, always tried and did extra bits after training. I got my reward at the end of the season by getting the Player of the Year.
"They gave me a platform to play many games, 42 appearances, it's the most games I've played in a season. I'll miss the club and the coaches but it is time for a new challenge."
Gillingham suffered relegation from League One last season but Harris believes Jefferies can play his part in helping the club bounce back.
"He is an exciting prospect that the fans are really going to enjoy watching develop over a period of time," said the former Cardiff City boss.
"He comes to us with great pedigree having come through Newport's first-team level before moving onto Brentford B.
"He's an energetic box-to-box wholehearted aggressive footballer that we think has got a lot of potential to develop with us, and we look forward to seeing him in a Gills shirt."
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