Versatile defender agrees to join Orient after successful trial

Leyton Orient have boosted their defensive ranks with the addition of former Gillingham defender Connor Essam on a one-year deal.

The 23-year-old, who captained National League outfit Dover Athletic last season, has moved to Brisbane Road for an undisclosed fee.

He becomes the O’s seventh signing of the summer and follows hot on the heels of Frazer Shaw’s announcement earlier this afternoon.

Essam and Shaw have been on trial with Orient all summer and have both impressed enough to earn professional contracts.

This transfer also means Essam links up with Ian Hendon and Andy Hessenthaler once again after playing under the duo at Gillingham previously.

He spent five years with the Gills between 2008 and 2013, but was never able to earn a regular spot in the first team.

A spell with Crawley Town followed before he shone in non league with Dover and now he’ll hope to remain in the professional game with the O’s.