Newport finish rebuild with Adu-Poku, Etete and Jacob

Newport County have finished their summer rebuild with the signings of Watford's Michael Adu-Poku, Cardiff's Kion Etete and Hull's Matty Jacob.

The trio have joined the League Two club after a season-long loan for Cardiff winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa was confirmed on transfer deadline day.

Defender Jacob arrives from Premier League Hull City on loan until January while winger Adu-Poku and striker Etete drop down from the Championship for the rest of the season.

Newport made 15 signings in the summer transfer window to reshape the squad for new boss Hayden Mullins after avoiding relegation on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign under Christian Fuchs.

Jacob is the second left-back to arrive this summer after a loan deal for Bournemouth's Alfie Merritt - who played further forward at Salford on Tuesday - and provides another option while Tom Davies is out injured.

The 25-year-old came through Hull's academy and spent the first half of last season on loan at League One Reading, making 16 appearances.

Jacob, whose career has been hindered by injuries, returned to the Tigers in January and played five times to help seal promotion to the Premier League.

Adu-Poku gives Mullins another versatile option out wide after the return of fellow winger Nyakuhwa for a second loan spell at Rodney Parade.

The 20-year-old came off the bench in Watford's Championship win against Southampton on opening weekend and then started in the 5-1 defeat by Peterborough in the Carabao Cup.

Adu-Poku previously got senior experience on loan at Rochdale, Wealdstone, Barrow and Solihull Moors.

Etete, 24, arrives from Cardiff to provide another physical option up front.

He came through Tottenham's academy and joined the Bluebirds in 2022, scoring nine goals in his first two seasons in the Welsh capital.

Since then Etete has found opportunities hard to come by and has had loan spells at Bolton, Rotherham United and St Mirren.

With James Crole sidelined through injury and Shaquille Gwengwe often deployed in wider areas, the 6ft 6ins forward will provide support for Christian Doidge.

Newport now have six loanees - Merritt, Adu-Poku, Etete, Jacob, Nyakuhwa and Fulham's Matt Dibley-Dias - but they are only allowed to name five in a matchday squad under EFL regulations.