NEWPORT County AFC hope to conclude the deal to sign former England under-19 international striker Shaun Jeffers on an 18-month contract today.

The 21-year-old arrives at Rodney Parade from Peterborough United as part of the deal that sees Exiles front man Conor Washington heading for Posh.

Washington, County’s joint top scorer this season with seven goals, will undergo a medical at the League One promotion contenders today.

The transfer comes after weeks of negotiations between the two clubs and could eventually be worth more than £500,000 to County.

That figure is dependent on the number of appearances Washington makes for his new club and also includes a promotion bonus.

Director of football Tim Harris, who has been in talks with his Peterborough counterpart Barry Fry for weeks, has also secured a significant sell-on fee as part of the deal.

Peterborough will also benefit from a sell-on fee if Jeffers proves a success at County and moves on to bigger and better things.

County have made a significant profit on Washington who was signed for around £5,000 from St Ives Town in October 2012.

And manager Justin Edinburgh is excited to have fought off a number of rivals to bring in another highly rated youngster in Jeffers.

The 6ft 1ins striker started his career at Coventry City making just six appearances before joining Peterborough in October last year after loan spells at Cheltenham Town and Cambridge United.

The player has earned two England under-19 caps and scored three goals for Posh – the last coming against his former club Coventry on Boxing Day.

Edinburgh said: “We need to make sure the club and the squad are looked after when these situations arise.

“Whilst we recognise this is an excellent opportunity for Conor, we have to continue our progression on and off the pitch and the deal will allow us to do that.

“I am delighted to welcome Shaun Jeffers to the club, he is a player I have admired for a while and he has the potential to score the goals to maintain our promotion push.”

County chairman Les Scadding added: “‘Conor has been great for us and we wish him all the best.

“The transfer will benefit the club and it was important we could replace Conor before the transfer window shut.

“The protracted negotiations show that we wanted to make sure the deal was right for Newport County AFC and I certainly believe that is the case.

“Hopefully this is an example of how hard work pays off and that we are a club that gives people a chance to excel.”

Washington missed Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers – a result that leaves the Exiles seven points adrift of the play-off places in League Two.

Goals from Kaid Mohamed, Eliot Richards and John-Joe O’Toole gave Rovers victory with Rene Howe replying for County.