NEWPORT County AFC have signed towering striker Hamzad Kargbo after a successful trial.

The 22-year-old front man has featured for the Exiles through pre-season after being released by Queens Park Rangers.

Kargbo, 6ft 4ins, is raw but has shown enough potential to earn a crack in the coming League Two campaign.

The striker, who is not a like-for-like replacement for last season's top scorer Will Evans, is determined to grasp his chance at Rodney Parade.

Kargbo said: “I’m very excited. As soon as I first came here I could feel it in my heart that it was a place I wanted to be and here I am.

“Obviously it’s never easy coming in as a trialist, but I could see from my first training session that everyone is like a family here which made it easier for me because I was welcomed straight away.

“It has given me the chance to focus on working hard throughout pre-season to show Nelson what I can bring to the squad.”

DEAL: Striker Hamzad Kargbo has earned a deal with Newport CountyDEAL: Striker Hamzad Kargbo has earned a deal with Newport County (Image: Gareth Everett)

Kargbo is a towering presence but will be expected to fit into the new possession-based style, joining Courtney Baker-Richardson and Luke Jephcott as an option to lead the line.

He came through at QPR and has been a regular for the Championship club’s under-23s while also having loan spells at Southend United and Oxford City.

Now he will hope to force his way into the matchday squad for an EFL debut in Saturday's League Two opener against Cheltenham at Whaddon Road.

“As an attacker, I pride myself as a goal scorer," he said. "Unfortunately I’ve not got the chance to play much in the last few seasons because of injury, but now I’m fit and ready to go.

“I don’t like to set a specific target as a forward player because then you’re limiting yourself. I just like to go into a season with the ambitions of getting as many goals as possible.  

“I find it depends on how I’m feeling so I try to keep myself in a positive mindset all season no matter what because at the end of the day confidence is key.  

“Once I start getting more games under my belt to achieve the fitness levels I need to be at after a few set backs in recent seasons, then the fans will see the best of me.”

Kargbo becomes County’s 13th signing of the summer and the second trialist to earn a contract after versatile former Swansea defender Cameron Evans.

The Exiles have also signed goalkeeper Jacob Carney, right-back Joe Thomas, central defenders Ciaran Brennan and Matt Baker, left-back Anthony Glennon, midfielders Kai Whitmore and Cameron Antwi, forward Oliver Greaves, wingers Michael Spellman and Bobby Kamwa and striker Baker-Richardson.