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club say the situation is "a minor administration dispute" with world governing body Fifa.

The issue is 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.

The Exiles were placed on Fifa's registration ban list last Friday and despite the new transfer window opening on Sunday, have been unable to proceed with any new player transactions.

A Newport County spokesperson said: "It is nothing for supporters to concern themselves with. It's just a minor administration dispute with Fifa which will be settled shortly.

"It relates to a spurious compensation fee for an academy player that Fifa claimed we owed to another club.

"However, the compensation fee was paid months ago and the club in question has confirmed receipt.

"It is an extremely frustrating process dealing with Fifa, one which we know several other EFL clubs are experiencing regarding compensation claims, but the matter will be rectified shortly."

Although Newport are confident the situation will be resolved swiftly, it means new manager David Hughes has been delayed in any plans to strengthen his squad for next season.

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Newport County goalkeeper Nick Townsend has opted to leave the League Two club after seven years.

The Supporters Player of the Year for the last two seasons, Townsend was out of contract this summer.

The Antigua and Barbuda international was offered a new deal by The Exiles, but will depart Rodney Parade after 209 appearances.

A club statement said: "Newport County would like to thank Nick for his service, commitment and dedication over the last seven years and wish him well with his new challenge."

County, who appointed David Hughes as manager last month, have agreed personal terms with a new goalkeeper which they will announce "in due course."

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Midfielder Aaron Wildig has left Newport County and quit full-time football.

The 33-year-old, who captained the League Two side, turned down a new contract at Rodney Parade in order to pursue a part-time football career as well as a "business opportunity" away from the game.

The ex-Cardiff City player spent three years at County after joining from Morecambe in 2022 and made 90 appearances for the Exiles.

A knee injury ruled him out of the majority of last season.

"After a lot of thought, I've decided to move into a part-time playing model as I have opportunities away from football," Wildig told the club's official website.

"After the injury I had, it feels like the right time to shift my focus towards things off the pitch that will also benefit my family."

Hereford-born Wildig was a product of Cardiff's youth system but only made around a dozen appearances for the first team.

After a loan spell with Hamilton Academicals in Scotland, he left Cardiff in 2012 for a three-year spell at Shrewsbury before moving to Morecambe where he made over 200 appearances.

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Newport County have signed Wales midfielder Matt Smith following his exit from St Johnstone.

The 25-year-old, who has 19 caps, has agreed a two-year deal with the League Two club and becomes new boss David Hughes' first Exiles signing.

Smith played 25 times for St Johnstone last season as they were relegated from the Scottish Premiership, but did not feature after being substituted in the first half of a defeat to Dundee in early January and became a free agent this summer.

In all he played 60 times for St Johnstone after signing from MK Dons in 2023.

"We are delighted to bring Matt on board. As a group of staff, we feel he is a really good signing for us, and he will certainly strengthen the squad," said Hughes, who took charge at Newport last month.

"He is still growing as a player and has the desire to improve and progress himself and we are all looking forward to working with him. He is an outstanding character; a good professional and person to have around the squad and the club.''

Smith spent 18 months with MK Dons having joined on a permanent deal from Manchester City in 2022.

A City academy product, Smith had loan spells with FC Twente, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers, Charlton Athletic and Hull City while at the Etihad.

Born in the Midlands, Smith qualifies for Wales through his Blackwood-born grandfather and made his senior international debut under Ryan Giggs in 2018.

He was in the Wales squads at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, but has not played for his country since September 2022.

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Newport County have agreed a deal to sign New Zealand goalkeeper Nik Tzanev.

The 28-year-old will join the League Two club following his release from League One Northampton Town.

The Exiles were on the hunt for a new keeper following Antigua and Barbuda international Nick Townsend's decision to snub a new contract, external at Rodney Parade to join non-league Eastleigh.

Tzanev, who has two caps for the All Whites, will link up with David Hughes' team at the end of the month having been part of the New Zealand squad for recent games against Ukraine and Ivory Coast in Canada.

Newport have also confirmed that defender James Clarke has signed a new one-year contract with the club.

The 35-year-old joined the Exiles in 2021 from Walsall and extends his stay at Rodney Parade into a fifth season.


He featured 23 times before the end of his contract at Sixfields and will now head to south Wales, although the length of his agreement has not yet been disclosed.

At 6ft 5in, Newport will hope the experienced stopper will solve issues at set-pieces with the side having been targeted at corners last season.

County finished 22nd under previous head coach Nelson Jardim, with former Manchester United academy coach Hughes named as new boss last month.

Townsend had been offered new terms to extend his seven-year stay at the club, but his move to Eastleigh was confirmed last week.

As well as Townsend, Newport have also lost experienced midfielder Aaron Wildig who opted to end his professional playing career.

A new deal has been offered to utility man Shane McLoughlin while County have also announced the signing of Wales midfielder Matt Smith.

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Newport County have signed striker Ged Garner on a two-year contract following his release by Barrow.

Garner, 26, is the League Two club's third signing under new manager David Hughes, following the arrival of Wales midfielder Matt Smith and New Zealand goalkeeper Nik Tzanev.

Former Liverpool academy player Garner spent nearly seven years at Fleetwood Town, before moving to Barrow in January 2023.

In the past two seasons he has had two loan spells at Morecambe.

"This is another really good signing for us," said County boss Hughes.

"He's a player who can add to our top line and our link up play which will be important for us going forward.

"He's an excellent professional who conducts himself the right way and I'm really pleased to have Ged on board."

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Newport County have signed Wales C defender Lee Jenkins from Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County.

Jenkins, 23, is the League Two club's fourth signing under new manager David Hughes, following the arrival of Wales senior international Matt Smith, New Zealand goalkeeper Nik Tzanev and striker Ged Garner.

Former Aberystwyth player Jenkins has made more than 200 appearances in the Cymru Premier and was named in the league's team of the season for 2024-25.

He helped Haverfordwest secure European football and scored an equaliser against North Macedonia's KF Shkendija in a Europa Conference League qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium in 2023, a tie the west Wales side won on penalties.

Jenkins played a key role in Haverfordwest securing European football again last season.

"We're really, really pleased to have Lee on board," said County boss Hughes.

"He's been outstanding for Haverfordwest, he's defensively solid, athletic and he works the channels really well.

"It's important for us to recruit players who are hungry to improve, and we can't have enough in the squad."

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Cardiff City striker Michael Reindorf has joined Newport County on loan for the 2025-26 season.

The 20-year-old played four times for Cardiff last season, having joined the Bluebirds in the summer of 2024 after being released by Norwich City.

He spent the second half of 2024-25 on loan in League One with Bristol Rovers, but managed only four substitute appearances as the Pirates were relegated.

London-born Reindorf will now get the chance to prove himself in League Two.

"He's a really good addition to what we already have," said Newport boss David Hughes.

"He has great energy and a great ability to threaten space in behind.

"I'd also like to thank Cardiff City for trusting us to work with their young player and to help him develop, whilst understanding our responsibility to ensure that we deliver a successful team on a consistent basis."

Reindorf becomes Newport's fifth signing of the summer, following goalkeeper Nik Tzanev, defender Lee Jenkins, midfielder Matt Smith and forward Ged Garner.

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Newport County have signed Grimsby Town goalkeeper Jordan Wright on a free transfer.

Wright, 26, made 37 Grimsby appearances last season but was told he could leave Blundell Park after Dave Artell's side missed out on the League Two play-offs.

Wright becomes County's sixth signing of the summer under new manager Dave Hughes.

"We're really pleased to welcome Jordan into the team. He's got experience and he's got youth on his side," Hughes said.

"Lee Kendall (Newport's goalkeeping coach) was keen to bring in someone that fits the profile that we needed - and with Jordan we feel that he can play a big role for us going forward."

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Wright is the second goalkeeper to arrive at Rodney Parade this summer, with ex-Northampton Town stopper Nik Tzanev due to complete his move to Wales following international duty with New Zealand.

A former Nottingham Forest trainee, 6ft 5in Wright made his EFL breakthrough at Lincoln, playing 32 times for the Imps before moving to Grimsby.

But he was made available for transfer with a year remaining on his contract, opening the door for a move to Newport.

The Exiles had been keen to add to their goalkeeping options after long-serving stopper Nick Townsend departed after seven years, turning down a new contract to sign for National League Eastleigh.

Newport have made significant progress in their summer recruitment, including the signing of Wales midfielder Matt Smith after his departure from Scottish outfit St Johnstone.

As well as Tzanev, Newport have brought in Barrow striker Ged Garner, Haverfordwest County centre-back Lee Jenkins and Michael Reindorf on loan from Cardiff City, while defender James Clarke has signed a new deal.