Gillingham bring in Kenya-England midfielder Zech Obiero from Leyton Orient

Gillingham have signed Kenya-England midfielder Zech Obiero from Leyton Orient on loan, with the 21-year-old joining the League Two club until 31 May 2027.

Obiero, who plays in central midfield and is right-footed, made the move on 1 September 2026. The transfer gives Gillingham a player with experience of English league and cup football after his time with Leyton Orient and a loan spell at Tranmere.

The midfielder spent part of the 2025-26 season with Tranmere, returning to Leyton Orient at the end of May before switching clubs again. He had joined Tranmere on loan from Orient on 2 February 2026.

Obiero’s recorded career appearances include two in League One, two in the EFL Cup and one in the EFL Trophy. He has not scored in those matches, and has accumulated 118 minutes in League One, 174 minutes in the EFL Cup and 57 minutes in the EFL Trophy.

His early career has been closely connected with Leyton Orient. Obiero moved from Leyton Orient’s under-18 side into the senior club structure in July 2022, having previously been with Tottenham’s youth set-up. He subsequently spent loan periods at Cheshunt and Chelmsford before returning to Orient.

Obiero was part of the Leyton Orient side that won the English fourth tier in the 2022-23 season. He made his loan move to Cheshunt during that campaign before returning to the club.

The transfer also marks a move down a division for the midfielder, with Leyton Orient listed in League One and Gillingham competing in League Two for the 2026-27 season. His arrival comes with his market value recorded at €125,000, although no transfer fee has been stated for the loan.

Obiero has represented both Kenya and England in his listed nationalities. He is 1.70m tall and was born on 18 January 2005.

The loan agreement includes a scheduled return to Leyton Orient on 31 May 2027, bringing the completed move to Gillingham to an end on that date.