RELEASED Newport County utility man Eddie Odhiambo and striker Yemi Odubade last night signed deals with Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Gateshead.

The mid-table outfit, hammered 7-1 by County on the final day of last season, have acquired the free agents on one-year deals.

Odubade, who signs from Stevenage, joined the Exiles on loan with his wages supplemented as part of the deal that saw Craig Reid join the now League One club in January.

The pace ace was expected to join Newport permanently this summer, but his lack of form while with the club meant they didn’t pursue his signature.

Odhiambo, a midfielder/right-back, suffered due to the outstanding form of player of the season Paul Bignot, as well as Danny Rose and Jamie Collins, and was not offered a new deal.

“They are two players who have vast experience in the Conference Premier and have played at a very high standard,” said Gateshead boss Ian Bogie.

“Eddie was outstanding as a marauding right-back against us for Newport on the last day of the season and another string to his bow is that he can cover in the central midfield areas, right midfield and at left-back.

“He is a great athlete and will bring a wealth of experience and great quality. Newport’s fans were disappointed he was released and we snapped him up as soon as we knew he was available.

“I like what he had to say and how ambitious he is as a player. He is impressed with what we have achieved at Gateshead and what we want to achieve.

“Yemi is a proven goalscorer who was a popular player at both Oxford and Stevenage, and a player that will excite the supporters.

“By his own high standards he will have been slightly disappointed with how last season panned out but if you look at his goals ratio at every club he has been it is outstanding.

“He has blistering pace and a good eye for goal and without doubt is an outstanding signing for the club.”

Meanwhile, Kerry Morgan has sealed his switch to Welsh Premier League outfit Neath.

But he won’t be joining up with former County teammate Paul Cochlin after the central defender was released yesterday.

The Europa League outfit have also potentially opted to jettison former Exiles manager Peter Nicholas.

The Eagles parted company with boss Andy Dyer last week and it had been understood that Nicholas, one of Wales’ most capped players, would take the reins on a permanent basis.

However, the club yesterday confirmed Terry Boyle as their new boss, leaving Nicholas’ status with the club up in the air.