CONOR Washington has given up his job as a postman to sign for Newport County AFC and he’s hoping to deliver promotion to the Exiles’ fans this season.

The 20-year-old striker has a first class goalscoring record having scored 52 goals in 50 games for St Ives Town in the United Counties Football League Premier Division last season.

He’s convinced that he’s ready for the step up and is looking forward to life as a full-time footballer.

“I was a postman up until Saturday, that was my last day,” said the youngster, who had a trial with Champion-ship club Peterborough United this summer.

“It’s been a whirlwind couple of days. I haven’t been able to keep the smile off my face.

“I tried to keep it under wraps with just my family knowing and I can’t wait to get started now.

“I’ve been looking to make the step up to full-time football and I know it will take a while to settle in.

“It’s a massive step up for me and I’m under no illusions as to how hard it’s going to be but Justin said to me ‘don’t think you’re coming here just to make up the numbers’.

“I know there are some good strikers here but hopefully I’ll get a chance,” he added.

“I’m aiming to challenge for the first team and I’ll knuckle down and work as hard as I can.”

Washington believes his new club have the quality to sustain their push for promotion and says he didn’t have to think for long when the Exiles made an app-roach.

“With a manager of the calibre of Justin Edinburgh you can’t really turn that down,” he said.

“Looking at where the club is at the minute and where they want to push forward to it wasn’t a hard decision at all.

“There are some big teams in the Conference but from what I’ve seen of the squad there’s no reason that Newport can’t be pushing to win the league and definitely be in the hunt for promotion.

“Players like Danny Crow, Aaron O’Connor and Jeffer-son Louis I can only learn from and if I get the chance to play with them it will definitely help my game.”

Another big factor in his decision to choose the Exiles was their impressive new home at Rodney Parade.

Washington is looking forward to showing the home fans what he can do.

“The stadium is massive,” he said.

“I know the crowds have been more than 2,000 so I bet it starts to rock on Saturday afternoons.

“I had some reservations about the pitch when I heard they played rugby on it as well but the surface is awesome and I can’t wait to get out there.”