Newport County

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Forward David Ajiboye, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Newport County, has joined Carlisle United.

The 26-year-old will join the Cumbrians – who were relegated to the National League last season - as a free agent on 1 July when his contract with Peterborough United expires.

Ajiboye, who also had a previous loan spell at York City, scored two goals in 21 league appearances for County after arriving on loan last January.

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Huddersfield Town have confirmed the departure of Kyle Hudlin by mutual consent.

The towering 6ft 9in forward spent last season on loan at Newport County, but is now a free agent.

The 25-year-old joined The Terriers in 2022 after making a name for himself at non-league side Solihull Moors.

He made 10 first team appearances before loan spells at AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion.

He arrived at Rodney Parade on a short-term deal last August, before Newport extended his stay for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

He made 27 appearances and scored six goals for the Exiles, although was hampered by a calf injury in February.

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New Newport County signing Matt Smith has not given up on returning to the Wales squad, despite dropping into League Two with the Exiles.

Smith, 25, has won 19 caps for Wales since making his debut as an 18-year-old under Ryan Giggs.

But the midfielder has not featured since being part of the squad that travelled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup having made the move to the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone.

Now 25, Smith has headed to Rodney Parade to link up with new County boss David Hughes, his manager during his time at Wales youth level.

And speaking of his time in the national set-up, Smith told the club:, external "It's always been a massive honour to represent Wales. Every time I put on the shirt was a really proud moment and something I look back on with fond memories.

"I'd love to get back to that level again. I spent a number of years involved in the set-up and it's something I truly cherish.

"Being around players of that calibre, you see the standards every day in training and around the camp. I've learnt a lot from those players, and I hope to take those experiences forward here."

Born in Redditch but eligible for Wales via a grandparent, the Manchester City academy graduate won caps under Hughes at under-17 level.

He added: "I've worked with the manager before, so we already have that connection. We had a really good conversation and he knows who I am, what I can bring, and the type of person I am. For me, it was a no-brainer. I'm really excited to be part of it.

"I want to be a big part of this team and help Newport push up the league and finish as strongly as possible. It's got a fantastic fanbase. I've always admired the club from afar, especially with the Welsh connection, and I've seen the passion the fans bring."

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Newport County have congratulated club legend Norman Parselle for being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King's Birthday Honours list for his outstanding service to sport and the local community.

A former player and lifelong County fan, Pill-born Parselle has led the club's County in the Community charity since it began in 2013. He is currently its chief executive.

The charity delivers sport projects and schemes for people in Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen with a staff of more than 20.

"Norman has worked tirelessly to deliver and increase sports participation, improve health and education, social inclusion and the environment," said Newport on their official website.

"His work makes a huge difference to the local community, and he is regarded by the club and those in the community he serves as a tremendous ambassador for the football club.

"If anyone deserves recognition for his tireless and selfless work in the community then it is Norman Parselle."

Known affectionately as 'Norm', Parselle has been involved with County for more than 30 years and was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2015.

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Newport County will enter next season's Carabao Cup at a new preliminary round stage, with a tie against Barnet set for the week commencing 4 August.

The format of the competition has been amended by the English Football League (EFL) due to nine Premier League teams being involved in European competition.

The two promoted clubs from last season's National League - Barnet and Oldham Athletic - and the clubs who finished in 21st and 22nd place in League Two - Accrington Stanley and Newport - now have to compete in a preliminary round in order to qualify for the first round proper.

The format is designed to reduce the number of clubs in rounds one and two, in order to accommodate all Premier League clubs involved in Europe in round three.

The venue for County's tie with Barnet and who has home advantage will be determined at the same time as the draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup on 26 June.

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Goalkeeper Nick Townsend has joined National League side Eastleigh following his departure from Newport County.

The Antigua and Barbuda international was offered a new deal by The Exiles, but decided to leave Rodney Parade after seven years and 209 appearances.

Townsend, who was voted Newport's Supporters Player of the Year for the last two seasons, was out of contract this summer.

The 30-year-old former Barnsley keeper joins an Eastleigh side that finished 13th in the National League last season.

"It's exciting for me and my family to have a fresh start down here," Townsend told the club's website.

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Newport County are no longer under a transfer ban with world governing body Fifa.

The Exiles were placed on the Fifa Registration Ban List on 30 May - with the issue understood to stem from a compensation fee that Newport believes has already been paid to another English Football League (EFL) club for an academy player.

It meant they were unable to proceed with any new player transactions, although Newport stated it was "a minor administration dispute with Fifa", adding that the issue would be "settled shortly".

The League Two side - now managed by David Hughes - no longer feature on the list, meaning they are able to resume their work in the transfer market.

The first summer window closes at 19:00 BST on Tuesday, 10 June.

The second window runs from Monday, 16 June to 19:00 BST on Monday, 1 September.

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Newport County will face National League South side Torquay United in a pre-season friendly at Plaimoor on Saturday, 19 July (15:00 BST).

Torquay finished joint top of the table with Truro City last season, but missed out on automatic promotion to the fifth tier on goal difference and were then beaten in the play-offs.

Newport's League Two campaign under new boss David Hughes kicks off on the first weekend in August.

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Newport County will travel to play Weston-super-Mare in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, 15 July as they prepare for next season's League Two campaign.

The game at the Optima Stadium is scheduled to start at 19:15 BST.

The fixture will be open to supporters, giving fans an early chance to see David Hughes' side in action ahead of the new season.

Weston-super-Mare, who finished eighth in the National League South last season, will provide a good early test for County as the Exiles build toward the opening weekend of the League Two campaign.

The last time the two sides met was in a pre-season friendly in 2022, where County won 4-0.

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Former defender Mark O'Brien believes the combination of new manager David Hughes and returning assistant boss Wayne Hatswell could be a "recipe for success" for Newport County.

Hughes, 47, has signed a two-year deal at the League Two club, leaving his role as under-21s coach at Manchester United.

The Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of a season which saw County finish 22nd in the league table.

Hatswell, 50, was previously number two at Newport under Mike Flynn and leaves a role in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) age-grade set-up to return to Rodney Parade.

"Realistically I think it's a really positive appointment and to add to that I think the appointment of Wayne Hatswell coming in alongside him is another massive thing for the club," O'Brien told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"He's someone who has probably been through a lot with Newport and seen a lot of positives so to add that experience along with a new manager who understands what it's like to work with young players - being at Manchester United's under-21s - there's going to be a level of standards that will be expected of the players next year.

"[Hatswell's] record speaks for itself where he's taken Newport to really big heights over seasons when I played there and hopefully Dave Hughes is going to be somebody who refines that a little bit more and who looks like he's going to be able to work with young players, which the Newport County squad have a lot of. It could be a very good recipe for success that has come in the door."

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Things may have gone quiet at Rodney Parade - too quiet for some fans - but Newport County still hope to appoint a new manager by the end of May.

Negotiations with Nelson Jardim's permanent successor are understood to be at an advanced stage and the League Two club could make an annoucement this week or next.

Chairman Huw Jenkins told BBC Sport Wales on 3 May he wanted to make the appointment within weeks, with Manchester United academy coach David Hughes then emerging as the leading contender for the vacant job.

Hughes would need to bring in his own coaching staff, with former assistant Dafydd Williams having left Newport after stepping in for the final two games of the 2024-25 season following Jardim's departure.

As the search for a new boss has continued, Jenkins has been conducting contract negotations with players the club want to retain for next season.

Four senior players have been offered new deals, but 10 of the squad have been told they can leave Rodney Parade.

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A 17-year-old who made his senior debut on the final day of the season is among five youngsters to have been handed their first professional deals by Newport County.

Moses-Alexander Walker came off the bench to make his maiden County appearance in the defeat by Tranmere Rovers at the start of the month.

The Bristol-born forward caught the eye and has been joined by four others from the club's academy to be offered senior contracts.

Corey Evans , Morgan Evans, Riley Lonergan and Sam Watkins - all 18 - have all also been invited to step up to the first-team having been part of the club's Under-18 side that reached the semi-finals of the FAW Youth Cup.

The club say the offers are part of "strengthening the club's ongoing commitment to developing homegrown talent and building a strong pathway from the academy to the first team".

Local boy Lonergan was also involved in senior matchday squads towards the end of the League Two campaign and has been offered a one-year deal, as has fellow midfielder Corey Evans.

Wideman Morgan Evans and defender Watkins have been offered six month deals.

Academy manager, Luke Hussey said: "We're incredibly proud to see Corey, Mo and Riley who have all been involved in first team squads offered professional contracts at the end of their scholarships, and to see Sam and Morgan rewarded with six-month deals.

"These offers are a reflection of the hard work and dedication shown by the players, and a testament to the belief the club has in our academy system. It's another clear sign that there is a genuine pathway at Newport County AFC for those who are willing to work hard for it."