Newport County AFC have today signed Welsh International Andrew Crofts on a one-year deal.
The 34-year old put pen to paper this afternoon to commit his future to the Exiles.
Crofts was part of the Norwich City side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2011 and has also won 29 caps for Wales. He has spent the majority of his career in the Championship including time spent at Gillingham alongside manager Michael Flynn.
After finalising his deal, Crofts spoke exclusively to iFollow Exiles to discuss his ambitions for the season, what it takes to earn promotion, and what he can bring to Newport County AFC in 2018/19.
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Here's a snippit of what Crofts had to say...
On his decision to join Newport County AFC…
“I’m really excited to sign for Newport County AFC. I’ve been speaking to the gaffer for a couple of weeks now and as soon as we started talking, I was really interested in signing for this Club. I played with Michael Flynn at Gillingham and he was a winner. I loved playing with him and I can’t wait to play for him now with him being my gaffer.
“He’s a winner, I’m a winner and as soon as I knew Flynny was interested, it was something that really appealed to me and with the Welsh connection as well, I can’t wait to get going.”
On what he is looking to bring to the club …
“I like to think I’m an all action midfielder. I like to get up and down but I can hold as well. Obviously I’m an experienced player and I like to get involved with helping the youngsters out and leading the boys both on and off the pitch.
“I know what a tightknit group this squad are and I can’t wait to meet them.”
On what it takes to achieve promotion…
“Team spirit is massive and so is developing that momentum so that winning games becomes a habit. When you consider what the Club achieved last year and the year before, when the gaffer took over and kept Newport up, that was unreal and that’s the momentum you need.
"Hopefully I can add to that and we can go one better than the team managed last season. Obviously quality is important, but having that team spirit, that never say die attitude makes the difference. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a few promotions and there’s nothing better than being promoted.”
On his targets for the 2018/19 campaign…
“I want to have a massive impact at Newport County AFC. I want to help build on what they did last season and I’m sure every player says that but we need to believe that we can do it. The gaffer’s bringing in player that I think will make a big difference and are being added to what was a very good team last season.
“Out on the pitch, it’s about giving everything we’ve got and putting some results together, build that momentum and see where that takes us.”