Newport re-sign Norman and land striker Doidge

Newport County have brought in Welsh striker Christian Doidge and re-signed defender Cameron Norman.

Doidge, 33, was a free agent after being released by National League side Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season, while 30-year-old Norman returns for a second spell with the Welsh club after leaving fellow League Two club Tranmere Rovers in May.

Newport have not specified the length of the contracts agreed with Doidge and Norman.

Newport-born Doidge had been in his second spell at Forest Green having also played for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Hibernian and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Full-back Norman, who can also play in midfield, impressed during a two-year spell with the Exiles earlier in his career.

"It's my hometown club. I came here as a kid many times, watched the big games, I even remember being down at Spytty Park (Newport's former home) as a mascot a few times," Doidge said.

"It's just really special to come home and play for the club I grew up watching."

Norman made 100 appearances during his first stint at Newport, where he was named player of the year in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

He left the club for MK Dons in 2023 and has also had spells with Walsall, Oxford United and Woking during his senior career.

Doidge follows fellow forward Yahya Bamba in moving from Forest Green to Newport.

County signed another frontman, Shaquille Gwengwe, from Southern League Premier Division South side Poole Town last week.

Doidge returns to Wales having played for Cwmbran Celtic, Croesyceiliog, Barry Town and Carmarthen Town in the early part of his senior career.

His first English club was Dagenham & Redbridge, while he had a loan spell at Dartford before helping Forest Green win promotion to the EFL during his first stint with the Gloucestershire side.

A brief spell at Bolton preceded Doidge's move to Hibernian, where his form led to suggestions that he could receive a Wales call-up, before he rejoined Forest Green in 2024.