NEWPORT County AFC have agreed compensation with Bristol Rovers for youth team striker Rhys Kavanagh to sign for the League One club's development squad.

The Exiles academy star scored 28 times in 32 appearances as the under-18s won the EFL Youth Alliance Merit League 1 title last season.

A statement from the club said: “Everyone at the academy and the club would like to wish Rhys every success at Bristol Rovers and his future development and career.”

County academy manager Byron Anthony, a former Rovers player, said: “Rhys is a hard working individual, who has progressed with us at academy from the under-16 age category.

“It's through his dedication and hard work that Rhys has attracted the interest of clubs such as Rovers and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Kavanagh joins the Rovers development squad ahead of the start of the Central League campaign, which begins in the first week of September.

Chris Hargreaves, the Pirates’ development squad manager, said: “We are delighted to have Rhys on board for the season ahead.

"He is an exciting young player that will complement the players that we already have in and around the squad.

"We are looking to push the players to test themselves in the Central League and the addition of Rhys will give us another option and outlet.

"Rhys comes highly recommended to us and we are looking forward to welcoming him into the squad."