GILLINGHAM'S teenage midfielder Charlie Howard has signed for Blue Square South side Bromley on a month's loan.

The 18-year-old had just been given a two year professional contract by the Gills, and boss Mark Stimson subsequently indicated that he would loan the youngster out over the Christmas period.

Howard made his debut for the Gills in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Dagenham last month, and will go straight into Bromley's squad for tonight's game with Lewes.

“He didn’t look out of place in the Dagenham game,” said Stimson.

“He’s a young lad whose got good technical ability and he’s also got a bit of bite to his game and he’s not frightened to get involved.

“He’s stepped up to first team training and he’s took it upon himself as though he’s playing with the youth team players.”

Howard will initially plug the gap left by Peter Adeniyi, who has left Bromley to join Eastleigh.

Adeniyi initially rejected an approach from the Hampshire club at the beginning of October, but opted to move when Eastleigh's interest was rekindled following Mark Goldberg's departure from the Hayes Lane hot seat last week.

A statement posted on Bromley's website revealed the club was not prepared to match Eastleigh's offer, adding that while "far from happy to not only lose a player of his calibre, but also in the way the deal was conducted, the club would like to thank Peter for all his efforts and wish him every success in the future."