Newport County have signed midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias on a short-term loan from Premier League side Fulham. The 22-year-old becomes the League Two club's 11th signing of the summer transfer window, as reported by the BBC.
Head coach Hayden Mullins, who previously managed Fulham's under-21 side, knows the player well. Dibley-Dias made 31 appearances under Mullins across two seasons in the youth setup. He was part of the squad that won the Premier League Cup in the 2023-24 season. The move reunites player and coach at Rodney Parade.
Who is Matt Dibley-Dias?
Matt Dibley-Dias is a product of the Fulham academy, having joined the Cottagers at the age of 14. He signed his first professional contract in 2021 and was named the Johnny Haynes Academy Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season. The midfielder has been named in Fulham's first-team matchday squads on four occasions but is yet to make his senior debut for the club.
He gained valuable league experience last season through loan spells. Dibley-Dias featured five times for League Two side Chesterfield in the first half of the campaign. He then moved to National League side Braintree Town, making eight appearances and contributing one assist. He also had a loan spell at Northampton Town during the 2024-25 season.
Where does he fit in Newport's squad?
Dibley-Dias arrives as Newport County look to build on a positive start to the League Two season. The Exiles currently sit 11th in the table with three points from their opening two games, following a win and a loss. They have scored six goals and conceded five, giving them a +1 goal difference. They are three points behind early leaders Barnet.
He joins a midfield that has already been bolstered this summer by the additions of Harrison Biggins and Kieron Evans. Mullins will be looking for Dibley-Dias to provide competition and depth in the engine room. Fans can view the full squad list on our squad page.
What does this mean for Newport's season?
This signing continues a busy and targeted summer recruitment drive for Newport County. Bringing in an 11th new player shows a clear intent to build a competitive squad capable of challenging in League Two. The club's current league standing provides a solid platform, and the goal difference suggests an attacking approach.
Matt Dibley-Dias could make his debut for Newport County as soon as this Saturday. The Exiles host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade in a 15:00 BST kick-off. This match is a key early fixture as County aim to close the gap to the top. Supporters can follow the team's progress throughout the campaign on our standings and fixtures pages.
