Kennington News

MILLWALL made their first swoops of the summer yesterday with the acquisition of striker Gary Alexander and midfielder Danny Spiller.

Both agreed terms and will sign two-year deals when their contracts end in a fortnight.

The duo's arrival is a declaration of intent by boss Willie Donachie. Spiller becomes the fourth Gillingham old boy to be signed in a year, after Darren Byfield, Neil Harris and Gavin Grant.

And Spiller reckons Millwall's position as promotion contenders is justified. "We should be aiming to be in at least the top six,"he said.

"The club has a lot of ambition and a strong squad and manager.And with the familiar faces, I hope I won't have any trouble settling in. I've been

at Gillingham 10 years, so it was a big decision to leave.And Millwall had watched me a lot and knew I was out of contract.

"My dad has been saying for years I would end up coming to Millwall. So when I got the call, it seemed like the perfect move. Now I'm really looking forward to playing."

Lions fan Alexander had been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest and Cheltenham Town, as well as being offered bumper pay rises by Northampton and Peterborough.

"I'm thrilled to bits," said the 27-year-old, who was born at St Thomas' Hospital and brought up in Kennington, where his family still live.

"It is the club I have followedsince I was very small, so I am very happy to be here.Quite a few of my pals are season ticket holders, so I have often come to games at The Den if I have been injured, or for midweek games when I wasn't playing.

"I had heard rumours about Millwall interest before,but until now that was as far as it has gone.

"There will be good competition for places - that's one of the reasons I have joined. We've got five good forwards and that will keep all of us on our toes."

Chairman Stewart Till said: "We've watched both for most of the second half of last season and both were desperate to come to Millwall which is why we moved quickly to try and get them. They both have great careers ahead of them and are among the best players in League One. We believe they'll be two fantastic signings."