Newport sign Welsh striker Doidge

Christian Doidge featured as a substitute as Forest Green were beaten by Boreham Wood in last season's National League play-off eliminator [Getty Images]Newport County have signed experienced Welsh striker Christian Doidge.

>Doidge, 33, was a free agent after being released by National League side Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season.

>League Two Newport have not specified the length of Doidge's contract at Rodney Parade.

>The Newport-born player had been in his second spell at Forest Green having also played for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Hibernian and Dagenham & Redbridge.

>"It's my hometown club. I came here as a kid many times, watched the big games, I even remember being down at Spytty Park (Newport's former home) as a mascot a few times," Doidge said.

>"It's just really special to come home and play for the club I grew up watching."

>Doidge follows fellow forward Yahya Bamba in moving from Forest Green to Newport.

>The Exiles signed another frontman, Shaquille Gwengwe, from Southern League Premier Division South side Poole Town last week.

Latest Newport County news, analysis and fan views • >Italian giants Roma plan pre-season games in WalesDoidge returns to Wales having played for Cwmbran Celtic, Croesyceiliog, Barry Town and Carmarthen Town in the early part of his senior career.

>His first English club was Dagenham & Redbridge, while he had a loan spell at Dartford before his helping Forest Green win promotion to the EFL during his first spell with the Gloucestershire side.

>A brief spell at Bolton preceded Doidge's move to Hibernian, where his form led to suggestions that he could receive a Wales call-up, before he rejoined Forest Green in 2024.