NEWPORT County AFC have finished their January recruitment drive by signing striker Calum Kavanagh on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international becomes the second forward to head to Rodney Parade on deadline day, following Manchester United’s Charlie McNeill through the door.

Kavanagh, son of former Cardiff City great Graham, spend the second half of last season on loan at Harrogate Town.

The forward has been prolific at age-grade level for Middlesbrough and, like McNeill, will now aim to take that goal-scoring form into League Two.

β€œI’m delighted to get the move over the line, I’ve been wanting to get a loan this window and this managed to come around so I’m really happy,” said Kavanagh, who was born in Cardiff while his father was playing for the Bluebirds.

"I spoke with the manager on Friday and the move really excited me, then I spoke with my dad and it was a no-brainer.

"The manager was just completely honest with me, telling me that he wanted a player like me that can run in behind.

"I had experience playing in League Two last year [with Harrogate], I know it's a physical league and I know what I need to improve on. You have to work really hard, be a man and grow up.

"This excites me and is something I need for my development and if I can score a few goals it's good for the club and for me."

After scoring six goals in 13 games in the Under-18 Premier League, the striker signed professional terms at the Riverside in 2020.

His first professional season at Boro led to a successful season of 13 goals in 20 Under-18 Premier League matches as well as two in three in Premier League Two and three in three in the FA Youth Cup.

Last season, Kavanagh netted six times in as many games in Premier League 2 as well as five in four in the Under-18 Premier League, which earned him a January move to Harrogate Town where he scored once in 12 games.

His fine goalscoring carried on into this campaign with a further seven goals from 11 matches in PL2 while he scored once in four appearances for Republic of Ireland Under-17s.

Kavanagh became County's fourth and final signing of the January window after the arrivals of McNeill and Stoke's Wales Under-21s defender Matt Baker on loan and a permanent deal for Port Vale midfielder Harry Charsley on an 18-month contract.