Baker returns to Newport on a permanent deal

Matt Baker made 15 appearances for Newport in his first spell on loan from Stoke in 2023

Wales Under-21 skipper Matt Baker has joined Newport County in a permanent deal from Championship club Stoke City.

Baker, 21, has signed a two-year contract after the clubs reached a "compensation agreement".

The versatile defender or midfielder was given his first call-up to Wales' senior squad for the summer friendlies against Gibraltar and Slovakia.

He is a familiar face to Newport fans having had loan spells with the League Two club in January 2023 and again last season when he made 39 appearances.

Baker told the club website: "I am really happy to be back here at the club, this time on a permanent basis.

"To be back here playing in front of these fans is amazing and I cannot wait to get started.

"Being here on a permanent basis now gives me a chance to build on last season."

Baker becomes Newport's seventh signing of the summer, even though the club have not yet found a replacement for manager Graham Coughlan, who left recently for the club to move in a "different direction".

He follows the arrival of Jacob Carney, Oliver Greaves, Kai Whitmore, Joe Thomas, Ciaran Brennan and Anthony Glennon. All the recruits are aged 24 or under.

Baker started his carer at Gillingham before completing a move to Stoke in 2021, where he captained the Potters' under-21s.

He qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, who is from Narberth, and captained his country in the European under-17s championships. He has also skippered the Wales Under-19s and has become a mainstay with Matty Jones' Wales Under-21 side.