FORMER Newport County AFC captain Joss Labadie has dropped down to the National League with Solihull Moors.

The 32-year-old is staying in the West Midlands after spending the last two seasons with Walsall in League Two.

Labadie has signed a one-season deal with Solihull, who finished 15th last season after being beaten play-off finalists the previous year.

The combative midfielder made 41 appearances in his first season with the Saddlers but was released in the summer after making just five outings in 2022/23 because of ruptured knee ligaments.

Labadie, who is preparing for life after football by also working for a mortgage and insurance broker, was linked with a move to Swindon to be reunited with Michael Flynn but instead is set for a first taste of non-league.

He said: "I'm buzzing to be here, luckily the gaffer invited me to come and train a couple days last week and yeah, I'm excited to get the deal done."

Moors head coach Andy Whing added: "We're absolutely delighted to get Joss' move over the line, I think his experience speaks for itself.

"We've had him in for the past week as well, he's fit and gelled well the lads. It's been really good, we're delighted to get him in."

Labadie made 146 appearances for the Exiles and was a key figure in two promotion challenges and memorable cup runs.

In what turned out to be his final game for County, the midfielder was agonisingly close to scoring the winner when he hit the bar in the League Two play-off final against Morecambe in 2021.

Labadie will go up against a number of former teammates in the National League, notably Robbie Willmott and Padraig Amond of Woking.