NEWPORT County AFC striker Christian Jolley has hailed the new deal for his fellow play-off final hero Aaron O’Connor as “the signing of the summer”.

Jolley and O’Connor both scored in the 2-0 victory over Wrexham at Wembley earlier this month and the pair will now continue their deadly partnership in League Two next season.

O’Connor rejected more lucrative offers from League One clubs to sign a new two-year contract with the Exiles and Jolley is delighted that his striking partner is staying at Rodney Parade.

“It is great news for us – Aaron is a fantastic player and we couldn’t have asked for a better signing. It’s the signing of the summer for us,” said the former AFC Wimbledon front man.

“It was a big decision for him because we all know he had other offers and he’s 29 now but I’m glad he’s thought it over and made the right decision for him and his family.

“There was a lot of speculation around him over the last few months but he stayed professional and we finished the job at Wembley.

“The grass is not always greener elsewhere and I’m really looking forward to playing with Aaron in League Two next season.”

It would appear that fellow striker Rhys Griffiths is also staying on with County and he wants to make a big impact in what will be his final season as a professional footballer before he returns to his work as a fireman.

The 33-year-old from Cardiff, who is second in the all-time list of Welsh Premier League scorers with 237 goals, put his career with the fire service on hold so he could pursue his dream of playing in the Football League with Plymouth Argyle last summer.

After being released by the Pilgrims in January and signing for County in February he failed to make a big impression at the tail end of the season but he’s hoping 2013/14 will be different.

“I didn’t get a good pre-season (with Argyle), but I’ll be able to get one with Newport,” said the former Cwmbran Town hotshot.

“But I’ll be going back to the fire service after this season, even if I score 40 goals for Newport.”

Griffiths will meet with manager Justin Edinburgh to discuss terms today, Meanwhile goalkeeper Alan Julian, who was released by County, has signed for Conference side Dartford on a free transfer.