We are delighted to announce that striker Paul Hayes has joined the Exiles until the end of the season. The deal is subject to international clearance and Paul will not be available for tonight’s match vs Colchester United.
The former Wycombe Wanderers, Scunthorpe United, Barnsley and Charlton forward had made nearly 500 appearances in League Two, League One, and the Championship and had been a prolific goal scorer at all levels.
Manager Michael Flynn said: “I’m delighted to get Paul in. He is an experienced, quality addition to our squad and will help the strikers who are already at the Club. He is still hungry and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
On signing for the Club, Paul Hayes said: “I’m happy to get it over the line. I’ve been speaking to the manager for a week or so now so I can’t wait to get started.”
He’s hoping to bring experience to the Club stating: “I’ve been around a long time and I try to represent whichever manager I play for out on the field. I’ve got a lot of experience behind me and a lot of goals. I just want to contribute any way I can to the team.”
Hayes also stated that the love Flynn shows for the Club and for the players was another big factor in joining the Club. “I’ve just left a manager who loves the Club and would do anything for his players in Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe. And coming here, [Flynn] just reminds me of Gareth and looking at how much success Wycombe had, I don’t think Newport are too far off that.”
Hayes has played professional football for 15 years and brings with him a wealth of experience but would never have joined the Club if it wasn’t for the wonders of modern technology. After stating that the way Paul began talking to Michael Flynn about joining the Exiles was “unusual” he explained:
“He got me on LinkedIn. We spoke to each other privately through that, he got my number and we spoke from there. Maybe social media is the way forward for transfers these days!”