MIDFIELDER Harry Charsley says the appeal of being reunited with manager Graham Coughlan helped convince him to become Newport County AFC’s first signing of the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old central midfielder heads to the Exiles on an 18-month contract after negotiating an early exit from Port Vale.

Charsley is an option in the middle of the park to join Scot Bennett, influential Bournemouth loanee Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Aaron Lewis, Aaron Wildig, James Waite and Sam Bowen.

County are also one of the clubs linked with a January loan move for Swansea City prospect Azeem Abdulai, who was on their radar last summer.

Charsley, who came through the ranks at Everton, is the first signing and joins forces against with Coughlan after playing for the manager at Mansfield.

South Wales Argus: SIGNING: Harry Charsley in action for MansfieldSIGNING: Harry Charsley in action for Mansfield (Image: PA)

"I am delighted to get it done after a couple of weeks of talks," said the midfielder. "I am really happy to be here and can't wait to get going.

“I’ve worked with the gaffer before and really enjoyed it, he works you hard, he’s an honest manager and demands a lot from his players but I really enjoyed working with him.

"It was probably one of the reasons [I signed], I know what I am going to get and it's also a really exciting club to be at."

After playing 77 times for the Stags he moved to Port Vale last January and helped them to promotion, playing 25 minutes in their win over his former side at Wembley and having a goal disallowed for offside.

Charsley spent last season on a successful bid to go up and he hopes those lessons can help a County side attempting to avoid being dragged into a relegation fight.

"It was a good season for us, it's not easy to get out of this league and you need a winning mentality,” he said. “It's a relentless league and hopefully we can pick up some points.

"I am high energy, work hard and try to get forward to affect the team in a positive way. I can't wait to get going and hopefully have a successful season."

South Wales Argus: Keanu Marsh-Brown of Newport County and Harry Charsley of MansfieldKeanu Marsh-Brown of Newport County and Harry Charsley of Mansfield (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Charsley made 10 appearances for Vale this season but his last league outing was in October.

Valiants director of football David Flitcroft said: "At this stage of the season we’re looking to review the numbers, sustainability and efficiency levels of the playing staff.

"Harry's ability in training has been high, but due to the competition in front of him the minutes on the pitch haven’t been available."

That led to the midfielder securing an exit from the Potteries and heading for south Wales.

He becomes the Exiles' first signing after they allowed Matty Dolan and Robbie Willmott leave for Hartlepool and Walsall respectively while loanees Chanka Zimba (Cardiff), Hayden Lindley (Aston Villa) and Thierry Nevers (West Ham) returned to their parent clubs.