NEWPORT County AFC have signed defender Matt Partridge as a replacement for Kevin Feely.

The 21-year-old left Dagenham & Redbridge by mutual consent last week, just two months after signing a new one-year deal.

The defender graduated through the youth ranks at Reading, captaining their under-18s side, signing a pro-contract at the club back in July 2012.

Loan spells at Bognor Regis Town and Basingstoke Town followed, giving the youngster the opportunity to experience regular first-team football. When his contract at Reading expired last summer, Partridge moved to East London and signed for fellow League Two outfit Dagenham.

"It has been a long day, but to finally get the deal done is obviously worth it in the end," said Partridge, who will be at tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Swindon Town.

"I can be a versatile player, I like to think of myself as a pretty big lad, so I am confident in the air and I can play with the ball on the floor as well.

"It is a completely new environment for me, so I will be looking forward to that challenge."

Partridge made three appearances for the Daggers this season, after featuring 28 times for the League Two club in 2014-15.

"We sat down and decided between us it's the right thing to do," Daggers boss Wayne Burnett said last week.

"We wish him well and I thank him for the contribution he has made."