SAM Foley insists he would love to have finished his career at Newport County but the chance to play in the Football League was too good to turn down.

The departure of the 25-year-old fans’ favourite was confirmed yesterday when League One club Yeovil Town announced he had agreed to sign for them on July 1.

Foley is out of contract at County at the end of June and had been offered a new deal but was free to negotiate with interested parties.

A number of League clubs made approaches but Foley felt Yeovil was the right move for him and has agreed a one-year deal at Huish Park under manager Gary Johnson.

The skilful attacker leaves Spytty Park after three and a half years, having scored 38 goals in 96 starts for the club since being signed by Dean Holdsworth from Kidderminster Harriers in February 2009. “I’m very excited by the move,” Foley told the Argus. “It wasn’t an easy decision but I think it was a good one for me.

“Newport County will always be close to my heart and if there was one club where I could have played the whole of my career it would be Newport.

“I was very happy and the club offered me a new contract but I had my heart set on progressing and the opportunity to play in League One is just amazing.

“I know I can play at that level and it’s a short career,” he added.

“The time has gone so fast since I joined and I’m 25 now so it’s the right time to move on.”

Foley was a huge part of the Exiles side that stormed to the Blue Square Bet South title under Holdsworth in 2010 and follows his former teammates Paul Bignot, Danny Rose and Craig Reid into the Football League.

“That was a great team and it just shows how good we were that so many of us have gone on to League clubs,” said Foley, a former Irish under-18 international.

“That season was what dreams are made of and to score the goals that clinched promotion is something I’ll never forget.

“The fans are so fantastic at Newport and I will definitely get down to watch a game when I get the chance.

“And I’ll miss the players. We had a great team spirit and that is one of the reasons I’ve chosen Yeovil because Gary Johnson has a small squad with great camaraderie there, it reminds me of Newport. Hopefully they can join me in the League before too long.

“Justin Edinburgh is a great manager and I know he will help the club progress.”

Foley is the ninth player to leave County since the FA Trophy final defeat to York City at Wembley and captain Gary Warren has still not committed his future to the club.

Edinburgh said: “We’re disappointed to see Sam leave but it is a great opportunity for him to play in League One.

“With the form he showed since I came to the club he will be missed but he was out of contract and wanted to better himself. We wish him all the best.

“He wasn’t a regular when I arrived so I take some satisfaction from the move,” added Edinburgh. “I think I developed him as a player so there is a bit of pride there and for his teammates who helped him as well.”