Michael Flynn has moved quickly to secure the services of first-team regulars Mark O’Brien and Josh Sheehan’s for Newport County’s push for promotion next season.
The Exiles may have lost Dan Butler to Peterborough United after notching 150 games for the club in the past three seasons, but club captain O’Brien has given the club a major boost by signing a new two-year deal.
The 26-year-old Irishman, who was sent-off in the Play-Off final at Wembley last weekend after picking up two yellow cards, wrote his name into County folklore when he scored the goal that kept the Exiles up two seasons ago.
“It was a shame not to clinch promotion at Wembley, but I am already feeling confident for the upcoming season. I’m just grateful to the manager and the for once again putting their faith in me by offering me this deal,” said O’Brien, who played in 46 of his side’s 62 games last season.
O’Brien re-signed a few days after midfielder Josh Sheehan agreed a two-year extension to his contract as manager Flynn builds his squad for the new season.
Flynn now has 12 senior players under contract, eight of which were involved in the play-off final at Wembley.
The future of goalkeeper Joe Day is still to be decided, as are those of a number of other players currently out of contract.
UNDER CONTRACT
Padraig Amond, Adebayo Azeez, Scot Bennett, Lewis Collins, Jay Foulston, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Jamille Matt, Mark O’Brien, Josh Sheehan, Momodou Touray, Nick Townsend, Robbie Willmott
APPRENTICES UNDER CONTRACT
Dewi Benham, Ioan Evans, Ruben Fahiya, Ryan George, Dom Jeffries, Callum Jones, Elis Watts, Tom Wright
FIRST YEAR SCHOLAR INTAKE
Callum Brain, Louie Cirotto, Connor Graham, Ryan Hillier, Aneurin Livermore, Zack Maher, Lewys Twamley, Jay Williams, Joe Woodiwiss,
RELEASED
Andrew Crofts, Tyler Forbes, Will Randall
RETIRED
David Pipe
LOANS EXPIRED
Tyreeq Bakinson (Bristol City), Harry McKirdy (Aston Villa), Regan Poole (Manchester United)
APPRENTICES RELEASED
Callum Beckett, Liam Bishop, Tom Hillman, Lucas Murray, Owen Taylor