NEWPORT County have shown skipper Aaron Cook the exit door in a move that is sure to astonish the Exiles faithful.

Cook is expected to sign for Blue Square South rivals Eastleigh in the coming days after County boss Dean Holdsworth decided the time had come to allow his skipper to laeve after less than a year with the Conference South leaders.

The 29-year-old joined the Exiles on loan from Salisbury on November 27 last year along with Wayne Turk, joining a side deep in the relegation mire.

However, Cook was pivotal in helping County to avoid the drop, being named in the Blue Square South team of the year.

However, his performances arguably began to tail off at the end of the season and it was expected Cook – who lives and works in Eastleigh – would join a Hampshire club before the start of the new campaign.

However, the Exiles decided to keep him and tie him to a one-year contract with Cook retaining the captain’s armband this term.

However, with Paul Cochlin and Gary Warren in fine form and with Alton Thelwell having joined the ranks recently, the league leaders, unbeaten in 20 Blue Square South games, have decided to allow Cook to leave, despite turning down an approach – believed to be from Weston – just three weeks ago.

While it would be easy to put the move down to the travelling required from Cook, the player has categorically denied this is a factor and admits he is gutted to be leaving Newport.

He explained: "It’s disappointing from my point of view, gutting really, because there were certainly not any issues from my side.

"Though travelling-wise it makes a bit more sense, I didn’t mind that part of it we’ve been having an increasingly full car anyway and sharing the miles.

"Who would want to leave a team top of the league and 20 games unbeaten?

"I don’t want to go really, but that’s football and I certainly leave with very fond memories of my time at the club.

"The people at the club welcomed me from the start and I am glad I’ve been part of a successful time for the club.

"Luckily I am joining a side who are also ambitious and competitive in this league, but I don’t want County supporters to think I’ve left because of the travelling, this is a football issue."

Exiles boss Holdsworth had nothing but praise for his departing skipper, though it is clear this was a decision that came from Newport and not the player.

"We wish Aaron well, he’s been terrific for us and played a key part in our turnaround last season," he said.

"Things change in football, we had an enquiry for Aaron last month which we turned down, but circumstances change.

"We feel this is a move that suits both parties and I’ve had a chat with Aaron and we’ve decided it’s the right time for us and for him.

"We wish Aaron well at Eastleigh and will continue to look for players to bring in who we feel can make us even stronger."

Under the terms of this deal, Cook won’t be able to play against the Exiles in league action this season. County are next in action at Staines on Tuesday evening.