NEWPORT County AFC have confirmed that Swansea City midfielder Josh Sheehan has returned to the club on a permanent deal and is available to face Leeds United in Sunday's FA Cup third round clash.

Sheehan enjoyed a successful loan spell at Rodney Parade last season before suffering a serious knee injury.

The signing has been part-funded by the Supporters Club, a party known only as "JKM", and "another individual who wishes to remain anonymous" according to a club statement.

The statement reads: "We are delighted to announce that midfielder Josh Sheehan has joined Newport County AFC in a permanent deal.

"Sheehan will be well-known to County fans having spent some time on loan at the club last season.

"The 22-year-old scored seven goals in all competitions during his time here making him County’s 2016/17 joint top goal scorer.

"His loan spell was cut short when injury saw him recalled to Swansea City.

"He has been on a month-to-month contract with the Premier League side who have been assisting with his rehabilitation ever since.

"This contract ended on Wednesday and Sheehan has joined the club as a free agent.

"The addition of Josh has been partly funded by the Supporters Club, JKM, and another individual who wishes to remain anonymous.

"We would like to thank them for their support and generosity in securing this signing for the club.

"In recognition of the Supporters Club’s assistance with the purchase, Josh will wear the number 31; this is the combination of 19 plus 12, the year the original club was formed."

Speaking to iFollowExiles, Sheehan said: “It's great to be back at Newport County.

"It has been a while since I last kicked a ball for this club and I really cannot wait to get going again and hopefully help push Newport up the table.

"I'd like to thank the Supporters’ Club for their part in me signing. It's great to see the fans come together with the team and management to get this deal over the line. I really am grateful to them.”

Manager Michael Flynn said: "I am absolutely delighted we have secured the signing of Josh Sheehan.

"There has been a lot of hard work from myself and the chairman to get this deal done.

"We have built a good relationship up with Huw Jenkins and Nigel Rees at Swansea.

"We’ve really courted him over the last few months as Josh was a player in demand.

"The chairman even invited Josh and his family to attend a match as guests in his personal box.

"This goes to show the effort and commitment the club puts in behind the scenes when securing a quality player.

"I’d like to thank the Supporters Club, JKM and the anonymous individual for all their help raising funds for this deal.

"I’d also like to thank Swansea City for their help and I look forward to continuing this good relationship which we’ve built."

Flynn added: "I am very grateful for everybody's efforts in completing the signing of Josh. He is a very good footballer.

"He has already been working hard with us and I am delighted to announce that he's back!"