Patience has paid off for Justin Edinburgh after finally landing German defender Max Ehmer.

Gills boss Edinburgh has been chasing Ehmer’s signature since the end of last season.

On Thursday the Frankfurt-born defender finally put pen to paper on a three-year-deal.

“I am delighted to have him here,” said Edinburgh, after completing his fifth senior signing of the summer.

“He has shown the qualities he has and he showed us what he is as an individual around the football club, that’s why he was one we wanted to secure.”

Ehmer impressed during a loan spell at the Gills last season but signing him permanently wasn’t easy, as he still had a year to run on his contract with QPR.

Edinburgh said: “It has been a little more difficult than we thought but credit to the chairman, he has worked tirelessly on this one, and credit to him, to get it over the line. We are delighted.”

Ehmer, 23, played 29 games for the Gills while on loan last season, forging a solid partnership at the back alongside John Egan.

“It is an advantage when you do get a loan player and they do settle at the club,” said the Gills boss.

“When you work with them day in, day out, they know what you are about and it does give you a head start sometimes.

“We have seen the reverse with John Marquis (who signed for Millwall), that when players do well then their parent club can take them back.

“One we got and one we didn’t but I am absolutely thrilled with Max’s signature. I look forward to working with him for a very long time.”