JUSTIN Edinburgh says Newport County AFC academy graduate Regan Poole has the talent to become “a top, top player” after the pair were reunited at Northampton Town.

Cobblers boss Edinburgh, who gave a 16-year-old Poole his Football League debut back in 2014, signed the Wales under-21 international on a season long loan deal from Manchester United on Friday.

Poole, a County academy graduate, made 15 appearances for the Exiles before moving to Old Trafford at the end of the August 2015 – six months after Edinburgh left the club.

“Regan is a player I know well from my time at Newport County and he is an exceptionally talented player,” said Edinburgh.

“I gave him his debut as a 16 year old and he is a player with a fantastic temperament and someone who is well ahead of his years.

“He is a central defender who is comfortable on the ball. He is strong, he leaps well and he has all the attributes to be a top, top player. He is mobile and he will complement the other defenders we have at the club well.

“We are delighted he has committed to spend the season with us and I am very pleased to welcome Regan to the club.”

Poole made his United first team debut as a substitute in the 2015-2016 last 32 Europa League game against Midtjylland.

He is yet to make a senior appearance under Jose Mourinho but has been a regular in the Red Devils under-21 side.

Poole, now 19, also represented Wales in the under-20 Toulon Tournament in France this summer.

In May he told the Argus that he would like to get more experience at a Football League club.

“I would like to get out on loan,” said Poole. “I miss playing in the League and there was nothing better than playing in the League.

“It’s a tough one because I’m developing under the best coaches in the world at United and it’s all about what the club wants and what they think is best for me.

“I’m developing every day. The coaching and the training and the facilities we have is another level. It’s out of this world.

“Coming from Newport and what I had there, sometimes you have to just step back and think ‘I’m a very lucky boy’.

“I couldn’t be developing in any better way because I have everything there for me.”

And, after completing his move to Northampton on Friday, the teenager admitted that the chance to work with Edinburgh again was too good to turn down.

“He had a huge part to play in it,” said Poole. “Him and my agent were in contact and when I was at Newport I knew that we’d reunite again because we got on so well.

“To be honest, he got me where I am today. He’s played a big part in my career and I’m here so hopefully he can do it again.”