Aaron O'Connor agrees new two-year deal with Newport County

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Aaron O'Connor celebrates scoring Newport's second goal in the Conference play-off final against Wrexham

Top scorer Aaron O'Connor has signed a two-year contract with Newport County.

The 29-year-old was on target 19 times during the season, his last coming in the 2-0 play-off final victory over Wrexham at Wembley.

Manager Justin Edinburgh said the club had beaten off the challenge of "one-or-two League One clubs" to clinch O'Connor's signature.

"We're absolutely delighted he's prepared to stay for a further two seasons," said Edinburgh.

"We knew that there would be fierce competition but I think ... that his decision was made pretty easy to stay at the football club.

"Fair play, the boy wanted to listen to what people had to say, but it didn't take that long for him to make his mind up."

Edinburgh believes O'Connor and his strike partner Christian Jolley will be able to handle the transition from the Conference to the Football League.

"It's a step-up no doubt," said the former Tottenham defender.

"Aaron hasn't played League football and Christian [Jolley] had a brief little spell at Wimbledon last season but my hand on my heart and watching them working day in, day out, I think they'll both adapt quite comfortably.

"I think that they'll embrace it and there's nothing to fear from the League above."

Edinburgh added that he has secured the signatures of the squad members he wants to stay at the club, and is hoping to bring in new players as soon as possible.

"[It was] was paramount to get the players who were out of contract signed," he said.

"I'll sit down with the people [club board] again this week ... and hopefully we'll have it finalised in about a couple of days to see how many more new faces we can bring in.

"One or two of the people we are talking to are at pretty advanced stages and I'm hopeful that that may come through by the end of the week."

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