NEWPORT County AFC have signed centre-back Priestley Farquharson from Welsh champions Connah’s Quay Nomads for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has been a long-time target of manager Michael Flynn and has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Rodney Parade.

He was a huge hit in north Wales after signing from Hayes and Yeading United in January 2019.

Working under former Manchester City defender Andy Morrison, Farquharson was a leading figure in helping the Nomads to a Cymru Premier and Nathaniel MG Cup double.

His exploits led to him going on trial at KV Oostende, from Belgium’s top flight,  in the summer but he agreed a new one-year contract to stay in Deeside and started in European fixtures.

He was at the heart of the defence in the 2-0 loss to FK Sarajevo in round one of Champions League qualifying and then was captain in the 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League.

South Wales Argus:

Farquharson – whose England beach soccer cap may prove to be useful when the Rodney Parade pitch deteriorates – will now test himself in the EFL.

He said: “I’m delighted to have signed here and I can’t wait to get started. My main aim is to keep out goals, but I can get goals further up the pitch too, so I just want to help as much as I can.

“Connah’s Quay have been great for me and really helped my development. It was the first time they won the league last season, so hopefully I can carry on the winning trend here.”

Farquharson effectively replaces Kyle Howkins in the County squad after the centre-back dropped down to the National League with Solihull Moors.

The new man will aim to put the heat on David Longe-King, Matty Dolan and Mickey Demetriou.

South Wales Argus:

Flynn said: “I’ve tracked Priestley’s progress for a while and have been keen on bringing him to the club in previous transfer windows.

“He has made great strides with Connah’s Quay over the last few seasons and I’m sure he learnt a lot from Andy Morrison, so I feel it is now the right time to get him on board with us.

“It’s a big step up from the Cymru Premier to this division, but I feel it is a challenge that he’s ready for.”

Earlier on Friday assistant coach Wayne Hatswell had said that specialist central cover was on Flynn’s wish list.

“If one of them gets injured then we are down to the bare bones and starting to put a round peg in a square hole,” he said, with full-back Ashley Baker and midfielder Scot Bennett capable of filling in.

Farquharson is County's seventh signing of January with permanent deals for midfielder Jack Evans (Swansea) and striker Dom Telford (Plymouth), plus loan moves for midfielders Antony Hartigan (AFC Wimbledon) and Luke Gamblin (Colchester) and young forwards Jake Scrimshaw (Bournemouth) and Owen Windsor (West Brom).