MIDFIELDER Aaron Wildig has boosted Newport County AFC by signing a fresh one-year contract.

The Exiles face a considerable summer rebuild with owner Huw Jenkins shaping the squad and also hunting a head coach after the departure of manager Graham Coughlan.

County saw midfielder/defender Scot Bennett turn down a deal in favour of a move to League Two rivals Cheltenham but Wildig has signed up for more at Rodney Parade.

The 32-year-old arrived from Morecambe in the summer of 2022 to be closer to his family in Hereford and made 32 appearances in his first campaign and 41 last season.

Composed on the ball, Wildig will aim to provide some creativity from midfield for his new boss in 2024/25 and improve his goals and assists tallies.

He scored against in the Carabao Cup upset of Charlton and the opener in the FA Cup win at Eastleigh that set up the Manchester United tie plus a double against his former Morecambe side in League Two, while he notched four assists.

Wildig was second in the County squad for accurate passes per 90 minutes (24.5) behind Bryn Morris, second for chances created (46) behind Shane McLoughlin, second for expected assists (4.1) behind McLoughlin.

BOOST: Aaron Wildig has signed a new deal with CountyBOOST: Aaron Wildig has signed a new deal with County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

He said: “I’ve really pleased to get the deal sorted. It’s been agreed for over a week or so now, so I’m delighted to come in and get it finalised.

“Two years I’ve been at the club now and it’s going in a good direction. I think it wants to push on and be successful, and I want to be a part of that too.

“I’m an experienced player, especially at this level, having been involved in three promotions.

"I've been in first-team football for 15 years now and know what I bring to a group, both on and off the field.

"For most of last year I did start games, there were ups and downs with form but that's natural. I want to get that consistency, stay fit and get another 40-game season.

“For me now, it’s about hitting the ground running and getting as fit as possible. Hopefully, we can dig deep as a team and have a very good season.”

Wildig joins influential Morris, who played in every game in all competitions last season, and teenage academy graduate Jac Norris as a midfield option.

County remain in talks with Harry Charsley over a new contract while chairman Jenkins has stated a number of signings have been lined up.