Newport County have completed two new signings, bringing in midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias on loan from Fulham and goalkeeper Jake Turner. The deals were confirmed this week as manager Hayden Mullins looks to add depth to his squad, which currently sits 11th in Sky Bet League Two with three points from two games.
According to a report in the South Wales Argus, Dibley-Dias, 22, joins on a short-term agreement from Fulham, subject to clearance. The midfielder is a product of the Cottagers' academy and was named their Johnny Haynes Academy Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season. He has previous EFL experience with loan spells at Northampton Town in League One and Chesterfield in League Two. Mullins is familiar with the player, having previously coached him as head coach of Fulham's Under-21s side.
Who is goalkeeper Jake Turner?
Jake Turner arrives at Rodney Parade as a free agent after leaving Gillingham. The 27-year-old goalkeeper made more than 50 appearances for the Gills across the last four seasons. He previously played for Morecambe and Colchester United, and represented England at under-18 and under-19 level during his youth career at Bolton Wanderers. Turner was on the bench for Newport's 5-3 defeat to Bristol Rovers last weekend.
Turner knows the manager from their shared time at Colchester United. "Obviously, I know the manager from my time at Colchester, so I think speaking to him, and obviously being around the training ground for the last few days, I think I can bring quite a bit to the team," Turner told the South Wales Argus. He described his style, saying, "I think I'm a shot-stopping goalkeeper."
Where do the new signings fit in the squad?
The additions address specific areas for Mullins. Dibley-Dias provides another option in midfield, bringing youth and a winning pedigree from the Fulham academy. His arrival comes as Newport look to build on a mixed start that saw them win 3-0 against Rochdale but then concede five goals in a loss to Bristol Rovers. The team has scored six goals but conceded five, giving them a +1 goal difference so far.
Turner's signing adds experienced competition for the goalkeeping position. With over 50 EFL appearances in recent years, he offers a reliable presence. His familiarity with Mullins's methods should aid a quick integration. Fans can view the updated player roster on the club's squad page.
What is Newport County's current league position?
Newport's season is in its early stages. After two matches, they have three points from one win and one loss, placing them 11th in the League Two table. Their recent form reads as a win followed by a loss. They are currently three points behind the early leaders, Barnet. The full league standings are available on our standings page.
The club's next match is a home clash against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, August 29. This is followed by a trip to Salford City on Tuesday, September 1, and a visit to Northampton Town on Saturday, September 5. The upcoming schedule is available on our fixtures page. These new signings will be aiming to help Newport County improve their consistency and close the gap to the top of the table as the season progresses.
