Newport County have made a late dash into the transfer market and secured the loan signing of giant striker Kyle Hudlin from Huddersfield Town, subject to EFL approval.
Hudlin, who stands at a towering 6ft 9in and one of the tallest professional footballers in the world, will join up with his new teammates on Monday after completing a loan deal on the final day of the transfer window.
The 24-year-old signed for the Terriers on a two-year deal in July 2022 after making a name for himself in non-league at Solihull Moors.
He immediately moved to AFC Wimbledon on loan and scored his first goal in an EFL Trophy tie against Crawley Town in September before being recalled by Huddersfield in January after 15 league appearances.
His first professional goal for Huddersfield came on his debut in a 3–2 defeat to Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup in August 2023. He went on to make nine league appearances for the club before joining League One club Burton Albion on loan in January 2024 for the remainder of the season, making five league appearances.
Head coach Nelson Jardim was delighted with the acquisition, stating: “It’s going to be easy to recognise him on the pitch!
“I always think about the qualities he has as a footballer and obviously losing Hamzad (Kargbo), who had his shoulder surgery this week, we fall short in terms of strikers. We felt Hudlin would be the best option for us to provide the cover we felt we needed.
“He is certainly a player who can affect both boxes and will bring more options to the club.”
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Newport gets in the sprit with Jameson Irish
Newport County is pleased to raise a glass to Jameson Irish Whiskey as the club’s new official back of away shirt sponsor for season 24-25.
The whiskey giant, owned by global drinks supplier Pernod Ricard, has agreed a main partnership deal with the club that will see their logo proudly displayed on the back of the players’ away shirts – starting with the fixture at Morecambe on Saturday.
Jameson initially teamed up with the club last season by sponsoring Exiles defender and brand namesake, Kyle Jameson, a deal which was renewed for 24-25. Both parties are now delighted to extend the partnership across the whole team.
Josh McCarthy, Jameson UK Brand Director, said: “We’ve been supporting the 72 EFL clubs and their great football communities with tonnes of fantastic initiatives across the UK this past year.
“To build on one of our existing sponsorships of Kyle Jameson, Newport’s talented centre back and brand namesake, it was too good an opportunity to miss to get Jameson on the back of Jameson’s shirt by becoming the official ‘back of away shirt sponsor’ for the mighty Exiles this season. See you down Rodney Parade!”
Newport County chairman, Huw Jenkins, added: “Jameson is already providing huge support across the league following their recent four-year sponsorship deal with the EFL.
“We are delighted they have chosen Newport to extend that support to us on an individual club basis. To secure a major brand such as Jameson as a shirt partner proves we must be doing something right and confirms it’s an exciting time to be part of the club.’’
Jameson will also leverage EFL inventory to deliver ‘responsible drinking’ messages and ensure that the partnership is marketed responsibly and in line with Portman Group requirements for partnerships.
About Pernod Ricard UK
Pernod Ricard UK is part of Pernod Ricard, number two in wines and spirits with sales of €10,701m in 2021/2022. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008).
Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector, including 17 of the op 100 Spirits Brands. Pernod Ricard UK has identified the following key priority brands in the UK market: Absolut, Jameson, Chivas, The Glenlivet, Plymouth Gin, Monkey 47, MALFY, KI NO BI, Italicus, Lillet, Malibu, Perrier-Jouët, Kahlúa, Beefeater, Campo Viejo, Brancott Estate, Olmeca, Havana Club, Martell, Jacob’s Creek, Lamb’s, Ballantine’s, G.H. Mumm and Wyborowa. Pernod Ricard UK is a member of The Portman Group promoting responsible drinking.
Pernod Ricard’s mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing “Good Times from a Good Place”, aligning with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,480 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its purposeful and inclusive culture of conviviality, bringing people together in meaningful, sustainable and responsible ways to create value over the long term. Executing its strategic plan, Transform & Accelerate, Pernod Ricard now relies on its “Conviviality Platform”, a new growth model based on data and artificial intelligence to meet the ever-changing demand of consumers.
