Mickey Demetriou is back with his Newport County football family and ‘buzzing’ for the 2019-20 season.
The former Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town defender has committed to a new two-year contract at the League Two club, while the Exiles have also signed defenders Ryan Haynes and George Nurse.
Haynes, 23, joins from League One Shrewsbury Town on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee and 20-year-old Nurse is a loan signing from Bristol City.
Demetriou told iFollowExiles: “A big factor in my decision to stay was the fact the majority of the squad have stayed together.
“We all gelled so well and with the additions into the squad I can’t wait for the season to start.
“It’s important to keep pushing on and go one better than last season.
“I’m delighted to be re-signing. It felt the right decision and I’m buzzing it’s all completed.”
ICYMI | It's OFFICIAL! 🤩
On Saturday, #NCAFC announced that defender Mickey Demetriou signed 2️⃣ year contract extension with the #Exiles ahead of the 2019/20 season.
✍️ https://t.co/hwycfVeiF5#OurJourneyContinues #AmberArmy pic.twitter.com/xQYbvyhqMJ
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) July 15, 2019
Central defender Demetriou, who can also operate at left-back, has become a firm favourite with County supporters since signing in January 2017.
He has made 263 appearances in his professional career with 126 for the Exiles.
Demetriou experienced the Great Escape two seasons ago, scoring a vital penalty in the epic match against Notts County when County avoided relegation from the Football League.
He has been a key player, helping the Exiles finish 11th and 7th in Sky Bet League Two, qualify for the play-off final and play a pivotal role in two Emirates FA Cup runs.
Incredibly, Demetriou played 5,172 domestic League minutes last season, the third most of all players in the top four divisions of English football.
Manager Michael Flynn has signed eight new players this summer and says about his latest recruits: “I have spoken to a few people about Ryan and they all believe there is an extremely good player there.
“George will give us competition down the left. He is comfortable going forwards and defending.”
Newport have been drawn in Group E South of the 2019/20 EFL Trophy and will face Exeter City, Cheltenham Town and West Ham Under-21.
County central defender Jay Foulston has joined National League South Chippenham Town on loan until the end of 2019/20.
The 19-year-old Swansea-born player has made six appearances internationally for Wales at Under-17 and Under-19 levels, scoring once.
He made two appearances for the Exiles last season, both in the CheckaTrade Trophy, keeping a clean sheet against Chelsea Under-23’s as well as playing the full 90 minutes in County’s penalty shoot-out loss to Cheltenham Town.
NCAFC Season Tickets are now on general sale.
Full details of prices, savings and benefits can be found here: https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2019/may/201920-season-tickets-released/
Newport County ins, outs and staying:
New signings:
Ryan Haynes
George Nurse
Corey Whiteley
Daniel Leadbitter
Lazar Stojsavljevic
Kyle Howkins
Tom King (gk)
Marvel Ekpiteta
Released:
Tyler Forbes
Andrew Crofts
Will Randall
Under contract:
Mickey Demetriou
Matty Dolan
Josh Sheehan
Mark O’Brien
Nick Townsend
Jay Foulston
Scot Bennett
Robbie Willmott
Keanu Marsh-Brown
Momodou Touray
Lewis Collins
Adebayo Azeez
Padraig Amond
Jamille Matt
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)