NEWPORT County AFC have signed another Bristol City young gun on loan after bringing in striker Saikou Janneh for the season.

The 20-year-old forward follows in the footsteps of Antoine Semenyo, Shawn McCoulsky, George Nurse, Cameron Pring and Tyreeq Bakinson in heading to Rodney Parade from Ashton Gate.

Janneh spent the last two seasons on loan at Torquay United and scored 16 goals to help them win the National League South title in 2018/19.

He impressed then Bristol City boss Lee Johnson the following summer and was set to head on loan to a League One club before the move fell through because of a knee injury.

The striker will now head for the EFL with County and is scheduled to be with the club until the end of the 2020/21 campaign but the Robins have retained the option of recalling him in January.

Heading for the exit is defender Marvel Ekpiteta, who has returned on loan to Ebbsfleet United. He signed on a two-year deal last summer but featured just twice in the EFL Trophy.

Janneh, however, spoke to Bakinson, Semenyo and McCoulsky before signing and is relishing the chance to get going for Michael Flynn’s men.

South Wales Argus: TALENT: Antoine Semenyo was a hit at CountyTALENT: Antoine Semenyo was a hit at County

“The manager really wanted me to come here and he likes the way that I play,” he said. “I learned a lot playing in the National League with Torquay last season and I think it has put me in good stead for League Two.

“I want to come to this club, work hard and score as many goals as possible. I can’t wait for the new season to get under way.”

Flynn has already bolstered his attacking options with experienced target man Ryan Taylor from Plymouth and is pleased to have added another goal threat.

He said: “I’ve been watching Saikou closely over the last few seasons and he is someone who I feel can enjoy a successful season with this football club.

“I wanted him to join the club in January, so I’m delighted that he is finally here now. I’m looking forward to working with him and hopefully this club can play a big role in his development.”

County's partnership with Bristol City has been a fruitful one.

Semenyo scored six goals in 32 appearances for the Exiles and impressed against Middlesbrough and Leicester City in the FA Cup run of 2019 alongside fellow Robins prospect Bakinson.

McCoulsky, now with League Two rivals Forest Green Rovers, caught the eye the previous season and headed the winner in the cup upset against Leeds United.

Janneh is County's third new arrival of the summer after Taylor and defender David Longe-King, who is stepping up to the EFL from St Albans City.

The Exiles also re-signed key man Scot Bennett, who was initially set to leave the club because of the financial hit of the coronavirus pandemic.

Forward Corey Whitely has left on a season-long loan to Boreham Wood in the National League and now Ekpiteta has followed him out of the door.

County get their season under way with a derby against Swansea City in round one of the Carabao Cup next Saturday.

They then host Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy before kicking off the League Two campaign at Scunthorpe United on Saturday, September 12.