NEWPORT County AFC have confirmed the signing of another former hero as Craig Reid returns from Gloucester City.

Tigers manager Tim Harris, who was previously in charge at County, revealed this morning that Reid was on his way back to Newport as Graham Westley prepared to sign the striker for a third time.

The 31-year-old has been training with the Exiles for the past few months and has now signed a short-term deal at Rodney Parade after leaving Conference North Gloucester.

"I am disappointed we have not seen the best of Craig during his time with us," Harris told the Gloucestershire Citizen.

"He is technically very talented and he is in the best shape he has been in for a few years.

"We were beginning to see glimpses of it, but it didn't really take off for him.

"He has been training with Newport and Graham Westley knows him well from their time together at Stevenage.

"He is a nice lad, who was popular in our dressing room and I wish him all the very best back at Newport, where he was phenomenal during his last spell."

County confirmed the news at 5pm today.

"As widely reported in various media outlets today Newport County AFC can officially confirm the signing of Craig Reid from Gloucester has recently been concluded," said a statement.

"The 31-year-old striker rejoins the Exiles in time for this weekend’s Sky Bet League two encounter with Stevenage at The Lamex Stadium."

Speaking after the deal had been agreed Westley said: “Reidy joined me at Stevenage back in January 2011, with my side rooted towards the bottom of League Two.

"Less than five months later we were a League One club and I know how important he was in that rise. It was a huge team effort, but he was a key cog in the machine.

"That team went on to rise into League One's top-six, an incredible feat, and again Reidy played his part. So I know the player.

"Prior to that, his goals helped Newport to win a promotion which is why he is held in such high regard at the club.

"Pace was never his main attribute which is why, four years on, I am comfortable that he can still play a role in what we do next.

"He is another experienced leader. A good quality technician, A player who knows how to win games.

"He has worked incredibly hard to shed almost a stone and a half in six weeks to prepare for this opportunity and Tim Harris at Gloucester deserves huge credit for helping Reidy to regain Football League status.

"Players with promotions have certain attributes. We have needed those attributes here and I expect Craig to be an influential figure in our 18 moving forwards."

The deal will run to the end of the season.

Writing on Facebook, Reid said: "I am delighted to confirm I have signed a new contract back at Newport County FC, the club I enjoyed so much success with and I was very grateful when they inducted me to their hall of fame.

"I am so grateful to Tim Harris and everyone at Gloucester City FC for what they did for me and I wish them all the success for the remainder of the season.

"The hard work starts now and I'm looking forward to the challenges being back playing league football."

Reid scored 66 goals in 112 appearances for the Exiles between 2008 and 2011 – helping them win the 2010 Conference South title – before Graham Westley paid £90,000 to take him to Stevenage.

He went on to play for Dean Holdsworth at Aldershot Town and Southend United before re-signing for Westley at Stevenage in 2014.

Since then Reid has had short stints at Kidderminster Harriers, Brentwood Town, Lincoln City and Gainsborough Trinity.