Eastbourne Borough youngster Freddie Carter has signed a two-year scholarship with League One side Gillingham.

The 17-year-old from Southwick, will now link up with the Gills academy.

He was part of The Sports U18’s successful progression to the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup – the furthest the club have ever got in the competition.

The Sports U18s manager, Sas Parsad was delighted for carter.

He said: “I’m over the moon for him. It is nothing short of what he deserves.

“Not only is he super talented, but he has the right mindset to match. He has got the tools for a long and successful career in the game.”

His hard work on and off the pitch had not gone unnoticed and despite the first team seeing their season come to an end last month, manager Danny Bloor promoted the central back to the First team squad.

He then made his debut against a QPR in a friendly at Priory Lane at the end of last month.

But Bloor believes Carter has a bright future ahead of him.

He said: "I would personally like to wish Freddie all the best in his career, having recently been in and around the First team squad, he is a player with great potential.”