Joe Ledley joins Newport County until end of season

Former Wales international Joe Ledley has penned a short-term contract with Newport County to join the League Two side until the end of the season.

The former Celtic and Crystal Palace star left Australian side Newcastle Jets in December to return to Wales and has spent 2021 fielding offers from numerous Football League sides.

“It’s a privilege to be here,” Ledley told the club’s official website after signing his contract. “I was here last January training with the team and the chairman and manager both welcomed me, so to come back and repay them for what they did for me is remarkable. It’s been great what the team have done so far and we want to can carry that on now.

“I’ve got a lot of experience and been towards the top end of tables a few times. It’s only a short contract but hopefully we can get over the finish line.”

Ledley spent time training with Newport County in January 2020 following his departure from Charlton and was close to penning a deal to join the League Two side back then, but he insisted that now is the time to make the deal official.

“I had a few offers in League Two but they weren’t for me because Newport was the one,” he explained.

“I wanted to repay them for what they did for me when I first came here by letting me use their facilities and letting me train. That goes a long way in football.

“I spoke to Gavin (Foxall) and Flyny and they asked me to come, so why not? All I would be doing is excessing by myself and watching the results on a Saturday, so it’s a no-brainer and hopefully I can help this club go forward.

“They’ve got a great set of fans too, so it was all about coming here and helping the boys get over the line.”

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