Michael Flynn is ecstatic about his newest Newport County player. The Exiles manager has signed Geordie defender Daniel Leadbitter on a two-year contract.

“Daniel is a big signing for us,” says Flynn. “It is a big coup for us. 

“He is extremely fit and quick. We have beaten off competition for Daniel and I’m really looking forward to working with him this season.”

Leadbitter, 28, more than 120 appearances for Bristol Rovers, where he helped them achieve back-to-back promotions with from the Conference up to League One. 

He left the West Country outfit at the end of his contract this summer.

Leadbitter came through the youth academy at home city club Newcastle United from the age of eight before signing professionally with League Two Torquay United in 2011.

It was in Devon where he played his football until 2013 before moving to Hereford United. Leadbitter enjoyed one season at Edgar Street before joining Bristol Rovers.

A resolute, solid defender, he also has quality attacking attributes and likes to get forward on the flank.

“I’m delighted to sign with Newport,” said Leadbitter. “The manager was a big part in me signing my deal and it sounds like a great club to be a part of. I can’t wait to get started.”

Newport County will play Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium, Kent in the first round of the 2019-20 Carabao Cup.

The tie is due to take place a few days after the club’s opening home league fixture of the season against Mansfield Town at Rodney Parade on Saturday, August 3.

Fellow Welsh club Swansea play Northampton at home, while Cardiff City do not enter the competition at this stage.

Ties are scheduled to take place on the week starting Monday, August 12.

NCAFC Season Tickets are now on general sale, with savings up to £139 on offer.

Full details of prices, savings and benefits can be found here: https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2019/may/201920-season-tickets-released/

Carabao Cup first round draw

Northern section

Tranmere Rovers v Hull City

Grimsby Town v Doncaster Rovers

Wigan Athletic v Stoke City

Port Vale v Burton Albion

Nottingham Forest v Fleetwood Town

Bradford City v Preston North End

Blackpool v Macclesfield Town

Blackburn Rovers v Oldham Athletic

Mansfield Town v Morecambe

Accrington Stanley v Sunderland

Scunthorpe United v Derby County

Rochdale v Bolton Wanderers

Huddersfield Town v Lincoln City

Middlesbrough v Crewe Alexandra

Shrewsbury Town v Rotherham United

Sheffield Wednesday v Bury

Salford City v Leeds United

Barnsley v Carlisle United

Southern section

Colchester United v Swindon Town

AFC Wimbledon v Milton Keynes Dons

Oxford United v Peterborough United

QPR v Bristol City

Plymouth Argyle v Leyton Orient

Wycombe Wanderers v Reading

Charlton Athletic v Forest Green Rovers

Gillingham v Newport County

Stevenage v Southend United

Luton Town v Ipswich Town

Walsall v Crawley Town

Bristol Rovers v Cheltenham Town

Brentford v Cambridge United

Coventry City v Exeter City

Swansea City v Northampton Town

West Bromwich Albion v Millwall

Portsmouth v Birmingham City

Newport County FC fixtures

Pre-season

July 

Tues 16 v Undy (A) 7pm

Weds 17 v Shrewsbury Town (A) 7pm

Fri 19 v Bath City (A) 7pm

Mon 22 v Weston-super-Mare (A) 7pm)

Weds 24 v Chelsea under-23 (Newport Stadium, 7pm)

The Exiles 2019/20 League fixtures: 

August

Sat 3 – Mansfield (H)

Sat 10 – Cambridge United (A)

Sat 17 – Plymouth Argyle (H)

Tues 20 – Walsall (A)

Sat 24 – Crewe Alexandra (H)

Sat 31 – Forest Green Rovers (A)

September

Sat 7 – Port Vale (H)

Sat 14 – Northampton Town (A)

Tues 17 – Macclesfield Town (A)

Sat 21 – Exeter City (H)

Sat 28 – Swindon Town (A)

October

Sat 5 – Carlisle United (H)

Sat 12 – Cheltenham Town (A)

Sat 19 – Scunthorpe United (H)

Tues 22 – Crawley Town (H)

Sat 26 – Colchester United (A)

November

Sat 2 – Salford City (H)

Sat 16 – Grimsby Town (A)

Sat 23 – Oldham Athletic (H)

December

Sat 7 – Bradford City (A)

Sat 14 – Stevenage (H)

Sat 21 – Morecambe (A)

Thurs 26 – Exeter City (A)

Sun 29 – Leyton Orient (H)

January

Wed 1 – Cheltenham Town (H)

Sat 4 – Carlisle United (A)

Sat 11 – Scunthorpe United (A)

Sat 18 – Swindon Town (H)

Sat 25 – Leyton Orient (A)

Tues 28 – Macclesfield (H)

February

Sat 1 – Plymouth Argyle (A)

Sat 8 – Cambridge United (H)

Tues 11 – Walsall (H)

Sat 15 – Mansfield Town (A)

Sat 22 – Bradford City (H)

Sat 29 – Oldham Athletic (A)

March 

Sat 7 – Morecambe (H)

Sat 14 – Stevenage (A)

Tues 17 – Crawley Town (A)

Sat 21 – Colchester United (H)

Sat 28 – Salford City (A)

April

Sat 4 – Grimsby Town (H)

Fri 10 – Crewe Alexandra (A)

Mon 13 – Forest Green Rovers (H)

Sat 18 – Port Vale (A)

Sat 25 – Northampton Town (H)