Perry signs for County

After weeks of speculation, 31-year-old Perry has finally signed a long term deal which could see him play out his career at Spytty Park Stadium, but County fans are still waiting on the Newport future of former Bluebird Dale.

Rumours are rife that Dale is considering retiring having suffered from a persistent knee injury last season, but Harris says he hopes the veteran striker will sign again for the club after returning this week from holiday.

With Cardiff's Jeff Eckhardt already on board and Perry joining from Hull City, it could be a City reunion.

Perry was up-front about his ambitions for County and said he turned down offers from league clubs to be part of the revitalised Newport dream of gaining Conference status.

As a Wales international, his playing CV includes spells at Bristol Rovers and Lincoln City, as well as Hull and Cardiff and with nearly 350 league appearances to his name, he joins Ryan Souter, Billy Clark and Eckhardt to form a formidable defence for next season.

"If I didn't think there was any chance at all of promotion, I wouldn't be wasting my time," was his verdict.

"I am 31 and I want to be in a successful side who will achieve something for Newport. If County got promoted it would give the town a massive boost.

"I was with Billy Clark at Bristol Rovers, he is a 100% player and there are plenty of winners at Newport who want to achieve something."

Perry has moved his young family from their home in Lincolnshire to Newport and the international, who won a Wales cap while at Cardiff City in 1994 against Norway, even has ambitions of his own.

He said: "I have been fortunate enough to represent my country at every level and my next step would be to win a non-league international cap."

Although Perry has yet to find a job to subsidise his wages from County, he is optimistic of finding employment and doing a job in the heart of the Newport defence.

*PICTURED: Jason Perry signs for County watched by manager Tim Harris