[themaclad]

Newport County are set to sign Bristol City striker Olly Thomas on loan.

The 18-year-old has been recalled from a loan spell at National League South outfit Yeovil Town.

Newport boss Graham Coughlan is looking for a replacement for another Bristol City loanee, Seb Holden-Palmer, who faces three months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Thomas has appeared in all six of Yeovil's league fixtures to date this season, scoring once.

Newport are also being linked with a second loan move for Stoke City's Wales Under-21 international Matt Baker.

The 20-year-old, who can play at the back or in midfield, impressed in the second half of last season on loan at Newport, making 18 appearances.

Newport, meanwhile, have recalled Joe Day from a loan spell at Woking, with the former Cardiff City goalkeeper instead heading to Yeovil on loan.

[themaclad]

Newport County have signed 18-year-old Bristol City striker Olly Thomas on loan and secured a fresh loan deal for Stoke City defender Matt Baker.

Thomas has joined for the rest of the season after being recalled from a loan at National League South side Yeovil.

Newport boss Graham Coughlan was looking for a replacement for another Bristol City loanee, Seb Holden-Palmer, who faces three months out injured.

Baker, 20, returns after a successful loan spell at Newport last season.

The Wales Under-21s international, who can also operate in midfield, played 18 games for the Exiles after joining last January.

He also arrives on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

"Matt wanted to come back. In fact, he never wanted to leave," said Coughlan. "When you have players like that, who are desperate to play for this football club, it's a no-brainer.

"He gives us good coverage in two or three different positions, and he knows what we are all about.''

Thomas has appeared in all six of Yeovil's league fixtures to date this season, scoring once.

Coughlan said: "We were obviously disappointed to lose Seb.

"We needed to replace him and thankfully we have a great relationship with Bristol City, Seb's parent club, who were keen to help.

"Olly brings a lot of the same qualities as Seb - the presence, link-up play and pressing - together with his own individual strengths."

Thomas said: "I'm very excited, this is a massive push for me, so hopefully I can press on now."

Newport, meanwhile, have recalled Joe Day from a loan spell at Woking, with the former Cardiff City goalkeeper instead heading to Yeovil on loan.

[themaclad]

Newport County have signed striker Luke Jephcott from Scottish club St Johnstone.

The League Two outfit, who host Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, have signed the former Wales under-21 player on a free transfer.

Aberystwyth-born Jephcott is the first signing for the club in the January transfer window.

"I've known him for a while and recognised his qualities for a long time," said manager Graham Coughlan.

"So I think it's a great addition to the squad. He's eager to get going, he'll strengthen our front-line and we really look forward to working with Luke."

The day Manchester United rescued Newport County
Newport County - the FA Cup giant-killers
Jephcott, who turns 24 on Friday, made his name at Plymouth Argyle where he made 103 league appearances, scoring 33 goals.

After loan spells at Truro and Swindon Town, he moved to St Johnstone last summer after Plymouth's promotion from League one.

He made eight appearances for the Saints before deciding to return home to Wales.

"I'm glad we got it over the line so quickly as well," said Jephcott.

"I'm really looking forward to getting going. I've heard it's a fantastic group of boys, so just can't wait to get in amongst it."

On Wednesday the club confirmed the takeover by former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins, who has invested £500,000 for 52% of the shares to take control from the Supporters Trust.

Jenkins has already moved to provide the club with more financial stability.

But announcing the signing, Newport paid tribute to fans who had helped raise funds for player recruitment.

A statement said: "The club would like to recognise and thank the recent fundraising efforts of Exiles supporters via the Players' Fund in assisting towards the club's first signing of the January transfer window."

[themaclad]

Newport County midfielder Nathan Wood has joined Cork City on loan for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old has scored once in 18 appearances - only three of which have been League Two starts - since joining the Exiles last summer.

But he will spend the rest of the campaign in the League of Ireland First Division, its second tier.

Wood, a Newport fan, joined the club from Cymru Premier side Penybont, signing a two-year deal.

[themaclad]

Striker Omar Bogle is one of eight players released by Newport County.

But as expected the club have triggered a one-year extension on the contract of top scorer Will Evans.

The League Two outfit are also in discussions over new deals with four players including long-serving Scot Bennett.

Joining target man Bogle out of Rodney Parade are goalkeepers Joe Day and Jonny Mexted, striker Offrande Zanazala, former Penybont midfielder James Waite, Sam Bowen - son of ex-Newport player Jason Bowen - and Harrison Bright.

[themaclad]

Newport County's longest-serving player, Scot Bennett, has confirmed he has left the League Two club.

Bennett, 33, had been offered to extend his eight-year stay at Rodney Parade after his contract ended at the end of the season.

But after failing to agree a new deal, the popular Bennett has said he will now move on.

In a post on social media, Bennett said: "Unfortunately my time at Newport County has come to an end which I never thought would happen.

"As I have said many a time, I thought I would end my career here but after eight incredible seasons my amber army journey has finished for now.

"I would have liked to have made more special memories with you all and finish my career here but unfortunately I had to accept this wasn't going to be the case."

Scot Bennett shields the ball from Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
The versatile Bennett played in several of Newport's high-profile FA Cup fixtures, including this year's third-round clash with eventual winners Manchester United

County manager Graham Coughlan said in February he had been keen for Bennett to stay at the club, calling him "invaluable".

Able to operate in midfield and at the back, Bennett captained the side towards the end of the season, making 56 appearances over the course of the campaign.

But after being unable to agree new terms, Bennett will now be free to move on from the club he first joined on loan from Notts County in 2015, before signing permanently in 2016.

He helped the club's 'Great Escape' to avoid relegation to non-league the following year and featured in the FA Cup win over Premier League Leicester and notable games with Leeds, Tottenham, Manchester City, while making his 350th County appearance in this year's third-round clash with Manchester United.

He says leaving was "something I never saw coming and has been very tough for me to process" in his post.

Thanking supporters and staff, he added: "I am so honoured and proud to have been able to pull on the Newport County AFC shirt 367 times. I captained the club in my first year and again at the end of this season (and) I will forever be proud of this."

Having released eight players at the end of the season, contract discussions were also taking place with defender Ryan Delaney and midfielders Harry Charsley and Aaron Wildig.

Meanwhile, County have confirmed their first pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2024-25 League Two season.

They will play Championship Bristol City in a behind-closed-doors fixture at the Robins' training ground on 23 July, before facing National League North side Kidderminster at Aggborough four days later.

[themaclad]

Teenage midfielder Jac Norris has signed his first senior professional deal with League Two side Newport County.

The 17-year-old's two-year deal comes after Norris impressed in The Exiles' academy in the 2023-24 season before graduating to the first team in April.

"I try to be as brave as I can, and I’ve learned a lot from the experienced peers around me," said Norris.

“Next season is going to be a big season for me, and the goal is to play as much as I can with the first team.

"I don’t just want to be there to make the numbers up, I want to play, and I want to make an impact.”

Academy manager Luke Hussey added: "I'm over the moon for Jac. He's worked incredibly hard for this, and he has all the potential to be a top player."

[themaclad]

Midfielder Aaron Wildig has signed a new one-year deal with Newport County.

Wildig, 32, has scored eight goals in 73 appearances for County since joining from Morecambe in June 2022.

His current deal was due to expire later this month but he has now extended his stay until the end of June 2025.

“I’ve really pleased to get the deal sorted. It’s been agreed for over a week or so now, so I’m delighted to come in and get it finalised,” Wildig said.

[themaclad]

Newport County have signed defender Anthony Glennon on a two-year deal.

The 24-year-old left-back is a free agent after being released by the Exiles' League Two rivals Grimsby Town at the end of last season.

Liverpool youth product Glennon featured 46 times for Grimsby since joining the Mariners on a permanent basis in June 2022 from Burnley.

Glennon said: “I’m delighted to get going. It’s a deal that’s been in the making for a long time.

“I spoke with Huw (owner Jenkins) and It was something that I was interested in right from the start, and I’m just buzzing that the deal is over the line now.

“I want to play every game, get into good form and hopefully help the team have a good season. Every time I’ve played at Rodney Parade I’ve really enjoyed it. The atmosphere is great and I can’t wait to get going.”

[themaclad]

Newport County have signed former Sheffield Wednesday centre-back Ciaran Brennan.

Irishman Brennan, who became a free agent this summer, is the second recruit this week for the League Two club who yesterday announced the signing of Anthony Glennon.

The deal is subject to international clearance and Football League approval.

Brennan, 24, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Exiles.

The former Republic of Ireland under-18 and under-19 international joined the Wednesday academy in 2013 and made 18 appearances for the Sheffield club.

He has also had loan spells at Notts County and Swindon Town and last season played four matches on loan at National League Hartlepool United.

Brennan told the Newport County website: "I'm buzzing to get the deal over the line. Its been going on for a while now, so I am delighted to get it done.

"I have got a relatively good idea of what the league brings. I know I am more than comfortable at this level and I want to show the fans that I can be one of the best players here.

"I am ready to kick on now."