NEWPORT County AFC have signed goalkeeper Jacob Carney to push Nick Townsend for the starting spot at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles released experienced stopper Jonny Maxted at the end of last season and have brought in Carney on a two-year contract.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Manchester United and signed a professional contract in 2020 before having a spell on loan in Northern Ireland with Portadown.

He then moved to Sunderland but left after making just one EFL Trophy appearance and joined Castellon in Spain, helping them to promotion from the third tier.

Now he is charged with putting the pressure on experienced Nick Townsend, who is now the player with the most County appearances in the squad.

“I’m really happy to be here,” said Carney. “I’ve been speaking to the club for quite a while and now that it’s all done, I’m looking forward to getting into pre-season and meeting the lads.

“The philosophy of the chairman (Huw Jenkins) is how I want to play. It ticked every box for me.”

Antigua & Barbuda international Townsend made 52 appearances last season with Maxted making six outings.

County, with coach Jim Hollman in charge of goalkeeping, have traditionally had strong options between the sticks.

Townsend had Joe Day and Tom King as rivals/teammates before a season battling Maxted to be top of the teamsheet.

Carney is the club's sixth summer signing, following defenders Ciaran Brennan, Anthony Glennon and Joe Thomas, midfielder Kai Whitmore and attacker Oliver Greaves.