NEWPORT County have sealed the signing of striker Scott Boden after he was released by National League outfit Halifax Town.

Exiles boss Terry Butcher stated last week that he had been closing in on a new forward to provide competition to Lenell John-Lewis and he has once again swooped for a high-performing non-league player.

County confirmed the transfer this afternoon – though boss Butcher has been unavailable for comment today – and it is understood Boden was one of the key transfer targets for the Exiles this season.

He penned a two-year contract with Halifax last summer, but they have confirmed he has now left the club and signed a one-year deal with the Exiles.

“FC Halifax Town have announced that they have agreed to allow striker Scott Boden to leave the Club halfway though his contract to join a League Two Club,” they wrote on their website.

“Boden, 25, joined the Shaymen last summer from Macclesfield Town and made 38 appearances for Town.

“Everyone at FC Halifax Town wishes Scott well for the future.”

Sheffield-born Boden began his career with Sheffield United and spent a period on loan in Finland before joining Macclesfield Town on loan.

A longer stint at Chesterfield followed before Boden spent a loan period at Alfreton Town.

Boden has since had a longer stint with Macclesfield and after scoring 18 goals for them, joined Halifax last summer, scoring 10 goals.

Boss Butcher has been keen to add further goals to his attack.

“We are very close to bringing in another striker, the deal is done from our end, up there is still some work to be done to get it sorted, some talking to be done at the other end,” he told Argus Sport.

“But that is hopefully close to completion and we are still in the market and talking with and about some other players. We still have a few pennies left.

“We want some competition for Lenell John-Lewis and have had our eyes on this player for quite a while now.”