Gills 365 · https://gills365.news/news/nelson-khumbeni-loaned-out-to-national-league-eastleigh-94841
Nelson Khumbeni loaned out to National League Eastleigh
06.08.26, 18:18 Updated 31.08.26, 19:50
Gillingham FC midfielder Nelson Khumbeni has been sent out on loan.
The 23-year-old, who was signed from Bolton Wanderers in the January 2025 transfer window for an undisclosed fee, has struggled to make an impression in the first team at Priestfield.
Since his arrival at ME7, Khumbeni has made 32 appearances for the Gills, with the majority of them coming from the subs bench.
With the club bringing four more midfielders to the club this summer in Zane Albarus, Nick Freeman, Kadeem Harris and James Brophy, it seemed Khumbeni's chances would be even more limited this season.
Given the above, and with no sign of a permanent move on the horizon, a season-long loan spell makes a lot of sense.
As a result, Khumbeni will join Eastleigh for the entirety of the 2026/27 campaign as the Spitfires look to improve on their 17th-place finish in the National League last season.
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Simon Head
Founding Editor, Gills 365is the founding editor of Gills 365. A veteran sports journalist and editor with more than 25 years in the industry, he has written for major news outlets, broadcasters and sports organisations around the world. Simon is a longtime Gillingham season ticket holder, and has been a regular at Priestfield since the mid-1990s.
