Newport County

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County will kick-off their League Two campaign against Notts County at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 2 August.

County will be looking to improve upon their 22nd-place finish last season under new head coach David Hughes who replaced Nelson Jardim in May.

Hughes' first away test in League Two will be a trip to Crawley Town on Saturday, 9 August.

The Exiles will host Barnet on Boxing Day before a home match against Crewe Alexandra on 29 December.

They will play their first match of 2026 away to Bromley on New Year's Day and will end the League Two campaign with a long trip north to Barrow on Saturday, 2 May.

• Follow this link for Newport County's full 2025-26 fixture list.

*Dates and kick-off times will be subject to change.

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Kiban Rai has signed for National League Aldershot after being released by Newport County.

The 20-year-old made a total of 30 appearances for the Exiles, scoring once, having made his senior debut at the age of 17.

But after his contract was not renewed, the attacking midfielder or forward has joined a Shots side who finished 16th in the fifth tier last season.

Aldershot boss Tommy Widrington called Rai "a really exciting prospect".

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Kieron Evans has joined National League side Eastleigh following his release by Cardiff City.

Evans, 23, played 39 games and scored three goals during a loan spell with League Two Newport County last season.

But having left Cardiff this summer, the midfielder has dropped down a division to sign for Eastleigh, who finished 13th in the fifth tier last season.

Eastleigh say they "fought off competition from EFL clubs" to land former Wales youth international Evans, who made 11 senior appearances for Cardiff after coming through the club's academy.

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Cardiff City and Newport County will face each other in next season's EFL Trophy.

The Welsh sides, along with Exeter City, are in Southern Group A of the competition, which was won by Peterborough United last season.

The group's fourth team will be one of eight invited under-21 sides from Premier League clubs, which will be confirmed on Thursday, 26 June.

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Forward David Ajiboye, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Newport County, has joined Carlisle United.

The 26-year-old will join the Cumbrians – who were relegated to the National League last season - as a free agent on 1 July when his contract with Peterborough United expires.

Ajiboye, who also had a previous loan spell at York City, scored two goals in 21 league appearances for County after arriving on loan last January.

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Huddersfield Town have confirmed the departure of Kyle Hudlin by mutual consent.

The towering 6ft 9in forward spent last season on loan at Newport County, but is now a free agent.

The 25-year-old joined The Terriers in 2022 after making a name for himself at non-league side Solihull Moors.

He made 10 first team appearances before loan spells at AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion.

He arrived at Rodney Parade on a short-term deal last August, before Newport extended his stay for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

He made 27 appearances and scored six goals for the Exiles, although was hampered by a calf injury in February.

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New Newport County signing Matt Smith has not given up on returning to the Wales squad, despite dropping into League Two with the Exiles.

Smith, 25, has won 19 caps for Wales since making his debut as an 18-year-old under Ryan Giggs.

But the midfielder has not featured since being part of the squad that travelled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup having made the move to the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone.

Now 25, Smith has headed to Rodney Parade to link up with new County boss David Hughes, his manager during his time at Wales youth level.

And speaking of his time in the national set-up, Smith told the club:, external "It's always been a massive honour to represent Wales. Every time I put on the shirt was a really proud moment and something I look back on with fond memories.

"I'd love to get back to that level again. I spent a number of years involved in the set-up and it's something I truly cherish.

"Being around players of that calibre, you see the standards every day in training and around the camp. I've learnt a lot from those players, and I hope to take those experiences forward here."

Born in Redditch but eligible for Wales via a grandparent, the Manchester City academy graduate won caps under Hughes at under-17 level.

He added: "I've worked with the manager before, so we already have that connection. We had a really good conversation and he knows who I am, what I can bring, and the type of person I am. For me, it was a no-brainer. I'm really excited to be part of it.

"I want to be a big part of this team and help Newport push up the league and finish as strongly as possible. It's got a fantastic fanbase. I've always admired the club from afar, especially with the Welsh connection, and I've seen the passion the fans bring."

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Newport County have congratulated club legend Norman Parselle for being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King's Birthday Honours list for his outstanding service to sport and the local community.

A former player and lifelong County fan, Pill-born Parselle has led the club's County in the Community charity since it began in 2013. He is currently its chief executive.

The charity delivers sport projects and schemes for people in Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen with a staff of more than 20.

"Norman has worked tirelessly to deliver and increase sports participation, improve health and education, social inclusion and the environment," said Newport on their official website.

"His work makes a huge difference to the local community, and he is regarded by the club and those in the community he serves as a tremendous ambassador for the football club.

"If anyone deserves recognition for his tireless and selfless work in the community then it is Norman Parselle."

Known affectionately as 'Norm', Parselle has been involved with County for more than 30 years and was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2015.

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Newport County will enter next season's Carabao Cup at a new preliminary round stage, with a tie against Barnet set for the week commencing 4 August.

The format of the competition has been amended by the English Football League (EFL) due to nine Premier League teams being involved in European competition.

The two promoted clubs from last season's National League - Barnet and Oldham Athletic - and the clubs who finished in 21st and 22nd place in League Two - Accrington Stanley and Newport - now have to compete in a preliminary round in order to qualify for the first round proper.

The format is designed to reduce the number of clubs in rounds one and two, in order to accommodate all Premier League clubs involved in Europe in round three.

The venue for County's tie with Barnet and who has home advantage will be determined at the same time as the draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup on 26 June.

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Goalkeeper Nick Townsend has joined National League side Eastleigh following his departure from Newport County.

The Antigua and Barbuda international was offered a new deal by The Exiles, but decided to leave Rodney Parade after seven years and 209 appearances.

Townsend, who was voted Newport's Supporters Player of the Year for the last two seasons, was out of contract this summer.

The 30-year-old former Barnsley keeper joins an Eastleigh side that finished 13th in the National League last season.

"It's exciting for me and my family to have a fresh start down here," Townsend told the club's website.

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Newport County are no longer under a transfer ban with world governing body Fifa.

The Exiles were placed on the Fifa Registration Ban List on 30 May - with the issue 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.

It meant they were unable to proceed with any new player transactions, although Newport stated it was "a minor administration dispute with Fifa", adding that the issue would be "settled shortly".

The League Two side - now managed by David Hughes - no longer feature on the list, meaning they are able to resume their work in the transfer market.

The first summer window closes at 19:00 BST on Tuesday, 10 June.

The second window runs from Monday, 16 June to 19:00 BST on Monday, 1 September.

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Newport County will face National League South side Torquay United in a pre-season friendly at Plaimoor on Saturday, 19 July (15:00 BST).

Torquay finished joint top of the table with Truro City last season, but missed out on automatic promotion to the fifth tier on goal difference and were then beaten in the play-offs.

Newport's League Two campaign under new boss David Hughes kicks off on the first weekend in August.

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Newport County will travel to play Weston-super-Mare in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, 15 July as they prepare for next season's League Two campaign.

The game at the Optima Stadium is scheduled to start at 19:15 BST.

The fixture will be open to supporters, giving fans an early chance to see David Hughes' side in action ahead of the new season.

Weston-super-Mare, who finished eighth in the National League South last season, will provide a good early test for County as the Exiles build toward the opening weekend of the League Two campaign.

The last time the two sides met was in a pre-season friendly in 2022, where County won 4-0.