MARLON Jackson’s rich goalscoring form in pre-season has earned a one-year contract with Newport County AFC.

The 25-year-old forward has impressed on trial for the Exiles this summer with goals against Caldicot, KS Polkowice.and Weston-super-Mare (2).

Manager Warren Feeney said after that brace on Tuesday that he was keen to secure the services of the former Bristol City, Hereford and Tranmere striker and a deal has been struck.

"I'm delighted to get everything signed and I am happy to be a Newport County AFC player for the season ahead,” said Jackson.

"I have enjoyed working with the players here during pre-season. The players are all working hard and everyone is pulling in the right direction.

"The style we are playing suits my game, as I look to get in behind the defence and move into the channels.

“I think the strikers we have here at the moment complement each other well and I’m looking forward to working alongside them this season."

With Lenell John-Lewis set for a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury suffered at Caldicot and Jon Parkin suspended for the first three games of the season, Feeney is thrilled to have added to his goal-scoring options.

"I have been impressed with what we have seen of Marlon during pre-season,” said the former Northern Ireland striker, who also has forwards Sean Rigg and Tom Meechan on his roster.

"He has settled in well to the squad we have here and he has managed to score goals which always helps with confidence.

“You can see that he just wants to keep on learning and he is enthusiastic in training."

"Marlon has a great amount of pace and that will be a good benefit for us next season. We have given him a chance during pre-season and Marlon has earned his opportunity here and I think his signing will be a good bit of business for us."

Feeney also said after the 8-1 victory over Weston that he would also like to sign Jackson’s fellow trialist Paul Bignot, who won the Conference South with the Exiles to earn a move to then Championship side Blackpool in 2011.

The 30-year-old put in another accomplished display when playing 90 minutes at Weston, starting at his usual position of full-back in a back four before slotting in on the right of three centre-backs.

“I had X amount of money it would be easy,” said Feeney. “But I am in a position where we don’t have the biggest budget in the league, probably a competitive budget around the bottom five or six teams.

“I’ve just got to be wise with it and if I can get the two of them in I would be delighted to.”