NEWPORT County have agreed their tie-up as a feeder club to Premiership Champions Manchester United.

Exiles boss Peter Nicholas last night confirmed the lucrative deal, which means a United first-team will visit Spytty Park every year for a money-spinning friendly.

Sir Alex Ferguson's backroom staff finalised negotiations with the Dr Martens League club, who are now the South Wales base where promising United stars will be groomed.

"It's all done and dusted," smiled Nicholas. "As far as I'm concerned we're associated with the Rolls Royce of football. The hard-work starts now.

"Involving ourselves with a club of that stature proves how far we're moving forward.

"It's a terrific honour and is a huge pat on the back for our superb youth academy at Hartridge High School.

Newport stand to gain financial rewards from the Old Trafford giants, one the world's richest clubs, for developing the young talent.

County will bank cash bonuses from the eight-time Premiership champions from the players' schoolboy days right through to a first-team appearance for United - or a percentage of any transfer fee.

In the deal, United scouts would hand-pick top Welsh youngsters and place them in the capable hands of Nicholas and his assistant Glyn Jones, also head of youth development.