Gartland becomes the sixth player to join the Boyneside club since the end of the 2004 eircom League season last weekend.
He joins goalkeeper Dan Connor, fellow defenders Damian Lynch and Simon Webb, Finnish midfielder Sami Ristila and winger Shane Robinson.
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The 21-year-old, whose physical approach made him a popular member of the Longford squad that won three Cups in the past two seasons, spent time across the water with Barnsley and Dundee United before returning to his homeland to join St Patrick’s Athletic last year.
Having failed to make a quick breakthrough at Richmond Park, he moved to Flancare Park and this season replaced Brian McGovern as a regular starter in the midlanders’ defence.
Equally at home at right back or in the centre of the back four, Gartland has gained international experience with Irish youth teams at all levels from under-14 to under-20, and will hope to force his way into Don Givens’s under-21 squad in 2005.
After a week in which Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin has signed six new players, the inevitable cull at the Boyneside club is under way, with five players, including midfielder John Lester and striker Andy Myler, set for the United Park exit door.
Former Bohemians and Ireland under-21 international Lester was almost ever-present in his one season on Boyneside, and his departure is seen as a surprise.
Likewise Andy Myler, who was the club’s top scorer with 14 goals in 2003 and was a perfect foil for ace front man Declan O’Brien in the season just ended.
The other players set to leave the club are winger Gary Cronin, former UCD defender Aidan Lynch and Sean McClare, who only arrived from Rochdale in August.