CORTEZ Belle, pictured, has at last put pen to paper to remain with Newport County for at least another season.

The powerful 23-year-old striker or defender who performed stoically at both ends of the pitch for County in their successful nail-biting bid to avoid relegation from the Conference South, has signed on the dotted line after Division Two outfit Chester City agreed to his release.

Belle becomes the fifth player so far in the close season to commit their future to County after goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan signed from Willenhall and Jason Bowen, Nathan Davies and skipper Darren Jones pledged to stay with the club.

County boss John Cornforth admitted that the close season is going exactly as he had hoped and promised more new signings in the coming fortnight.

He explained: "This is a massive, massive boost for the club because as everybody was aware, Cortez was one of our prime targets this summer.

"I thought he was magnificent for us when he joined on loan at the end of last season. He scored important goals but also did excellently when we asked him to play in defence. I thought he was sensational at the back and he gives us good options.

"He is also a really great kid, he has an infectious personality and he is good to have around the place, he is professional and dedicated and a good trainer.

"Another big factor in bringing Cortez in, is the fact that he is a home-grown boy and as such, he plays with plenty of pride and passion. He really wants to be here and he wants to do his best for Newport and you can't fault a player with an attitude like that."

While Cornforth remains pleased at how his close season is going so far, he expects things to get even better within the next couple of weeks. "We have identified and spoken with numerous targets," he confirmed.

"I have been in regular contact with the players that I would like to bring in and hope to speak to a couple in the next two days.

"At the moment it is about discussing money and deciding what is and isn't feasible, but things are progressing well and we should be able to make some announcements soon.

"Ideally I would like to take the wife and kids on holiday with the majority of things sorted out, but whether or not it works out like that we'll just have to wait and see."