Midfielder Wildig leaves Newport ending pro career

Aaron Wildig played for Wales at under-16 level

Midfielder Aaron Wildig has left Newport County and quit full-time football, taking up a player-coach role with Gloucester City.

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.

He has joined Southern League Premier Division South side Gloucester, now managed by former Newport assistant manager Dafydd Williams.

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 Newport'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.