Harrison Bright heads to Salisbury after Newport County exit

The 20-year-old from Blaenavon was released by the Exiles at the end of last season and has made the move to Wiltshire to play for the Premier Division South play-off winners.

Bright first played for the Exiles in the EFL Trophy under Michael Flynn in 2020 and got a first League Two outing in the final game of 2021/22 under James Rowberry when he played the last half-hour against Rochdale.

The defender had loan spells in the Cymru Premier with Pontypridd and Barry Town United, then got a chance in the run-in last season when Shane McLoughlin and Lewis Payne were injured.

Bright finished the campaign with 10 League Two appearances, six as a starter, but was released with County instead giving a chance to former Swansea City academy right-back Joe Thomas.

The Gwent defender has now opted to cross the border, to the delight of Salisbury assistant manager Callum Hart.

GONE: Harrison Bright has signed for Salisbury after leaving County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“We’re delighted to welcome Harrison to Salisbury,” said the coach from Cardiff. “He’s an energetic full-back with the ability to beat his opponent, so I’m sure he will excite our fans.

“Harrison made double figures in appearances in the football league last season, which is a great achievement for someone so young.”

Bright has gone down to non-league in a bid to earn an EFL return while former County loanee Charlie McNeill has signed for Sheffield Wednesday after leaving Manchester United.

The 20-year-old striker will play in the Championship with the Owls after previously being sent out by the Red Devils for experience in Leagues One and Two.

The forward, a member of the Manchester United team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, made his senior debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

PROSPECT: Charlie McNeill in action for County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

McNeill then got a first proper taste of senior football with County in the second half of the 2022/23 League Two campaign.

He scored his first professional goal in the win at Tranmere and then struck with a composed finish to clinch victory against Northampton at Rodney Parade.

He featured in pre-season for the Red Devils last summer but a loan move to Stevenage in League One didn’t work out and, after just three outings, he was recalled to finish the season with the academy.

Now he will try to make the step up with Wednesday after they avoided Championship relegation with an impressive run-in.