Newport County have brought the curtain down on a busy summer of squad-building, confirming three fresh faces through the door on transfer deadline day: Watford winger Michael Adu-Poku, Cardiff City striker Kion Etete and Hull City defender Matty Jacob.

The new arrivals were announced alongside confirmation that Cardiff winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa has rejoined the Exiles on a season-long loan, rounding off a hectic few hours of business at Rodney Parade.

Jacob joins on loan from Premier League side Hull City until January, while Adu-Poku and Etete drop down from the Championship and will be with the club for the remainder of the campaign.

In total, County have made 15 signings over the summer as head coach Hayden Mullins reshapes the squad following a nervy end to last season, when the club stayed up on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign under previous boss Christian Fuchs.

Second Left-Back Through The Door

Jacob becomes the second left-back to arrive at Rodney Parade this summer, following Bournemouth loanee Alfie Merritt through the door – though Merritt was deployed further up the pitch in Tuesday’s game at Salford.

His arrival gives Mullins another defensive option with regular left-back Tom Davies currently sidelined through injury.

The 25-year-old is a product of Hull’s academy and spent the first half of last season on loan in League One with Reading, racking up 16 appearances for the Royals.

Injuries have disrupted Jacob’s career at various points, but he returned to Hull in January and featured five times as the Tigers sealed a return to the Premier League.

Another Wide Option For Mullins

Adu-Poku’s arrival gives Mullins further depth out wide, coming just as fellow winger Nyakuhwa returns to Newport for a second loan spell.

The 20-year-old has already had a taste of first-team football this season, coming off the bench in Watford’s Championship opener against Southampton before starting in their 5-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Peterborough.

He has previous senior loan experience at Rochdale, Wealdstone, Barrow and Solihull Moors.

Physical Presence Up Front

Etete, 24, arrives from Cardiff to add some physicality to Newport’s attacking options.

A graduate of Tottenham’s academy, he signed for the Bluebirds in 2022 and scored nine goals across his first two seasons in the Welsh capital.

Chances have been harder to come by since, and he has had loan spells away at Bolton, Rotherham United and St Mirren in the meantime.

With James Crole out injured and Shaquille Gwengwe often used in wider positions, the 6ft 6in forward is expected to offer support to Christian Doidge in attack.

Newport now have six players out on loan at Rodney Parade – Merritt, Adu-Poku, Etete, Jacob, Nyakuhwa and Fulham’s Matt Dibley-Dias – but EFL regulations mean Mullins can only name five of them in any matchday squad.

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not subscribe to our newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/ to get daily Welsh sports news direct to your inbox.

Our podcast is back with Alex Cuthbert and Dillon Lewis in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.