Crewe sign Courtney Baker-Richardson from Newport County

The 26-year-old moved to Rodney Parade after an injury-hit time in Barrow last summer and formed a strong little-and-large partnership with golden boot winner Dom Telford.

Baker-Richardson made a slow start to life in Newport after suffering a pre-season quad niggle but went on to be a key figure under James Rowberry.

He made 32 appearances, scored eight goals and got through a mountain of work, both defensively and when helping Telford thrive.

Courtney Baker-Richardson has left Newport County for Crewe

County offered him a contract extension at the end of the season but the forward has opted to instead head for Gresty Road to lead the line in Crewe’s bid to bounce back from League One relegation.

They will hope Baker-Richardson can reproduce his efforts in Newport, where his tally of 26 starts eclipsed his combined total from spells at Barnet, Barrow, Accrington and Swansea.

The Swans snapped him up after he caught the eye in non-league following his release from Coventry City’s academy in 2014.

Telford has also been offered a new deal with the Exiles but it looks unlikely that he will sign it given that his remarkable 26-goal campaign has led to interest.

That leaves County facing a complete rebuild up front - one they were ready for - with Lewis Collins and Will Evans, a summer signing from Bala, the only options on the books so far.

Targetman Alex Fisher was released and loanees Rob Street and Timmy Abraham returned to Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively. Abraham, a fringe figure in Newport, has since been let go.