Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler has handed professional deals to five second-year youth-team scholars.Goalkeeper Daren Hawkes, defenders Jack Evans and Callum Davies and midfielders Alex Brown and Tom Brunt will all turn pro at the start of next season.
"We've taken more than usual but that just goes to show what a good group we have this year," said Hessenthaler.
"The chairman has agreed we can take five and that is good news for the future of Gillingham Football Club."
Hessenthaler added: "This is a really strong group and there are good ones in the year below and the year below that is even stronger.
"It is testament to the strength of our youth set-up and the work that Darren Hare and Bryan Bull have put in."
There was disappointment for three of the Gills scholars - as James Brown, Sam Fisher and Ryan Benniman were released.
Hessenthaler admitted: "It's been a tough day for the three boys we did release.
"I had a conversation with them and tried to use my own experience of being released as a youngster.
"It's not nice to not be able to offer players contracts, but we could only do as many as we did.
"I would love them to go away, get regular football and then come back."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport