FORMER Newport County AFC loan star Ben White admits he is “absolutely buzzing” to have sealed a move to Championship giants Leeds United.

The 21-year-old has joined United on a season-long loan from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

White was a big hit at Rodney Parade during the 2017-2018 campaign when he was voted as County’s player of the year by Argus readers.

The centre-back produced a stellar performance against his new employers as the Exiles knocked Leeds out of the FA Cup in January 2018.

And, after also impressing on loan at League One Peterborough United last season, he is now looking forward to the step up of playing Championship football.

“When I heard of the opportunity to come, I was just so excited to get it over the line and I’m absolutely buzzing,” White told LUTV.

“I’ve heard loads about Marcelo Bielsa, he is an amazing manager, especially with young players and I’m sure he is going to really improve me, which is what I am looking to do this season.

“I’m cool and calm on the ball, I like to play out from the back and I want to try and play as many games as I can – I’ve come here to win games.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at Thorp Arch, I haven’t trained yet, so the rest of the team are a week ahead, but I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into it.”

White is also not a newcomer to Elland Road, having played at the stadium before in the Carabao Cup with County in August 2017 and he spoke about what that experience was like.

“I think it was the best game I have played in, in terms of atmosphere, it was crazy,” he said.

“Even though it was a cup game, it was still amazing.”

Before completing the move, White signed a one-year extension with Brighton and is now under contract on the South Coast until 2022.

The Seagulls’ under-23 coach Simon Rusk said: “This is an exciting move for Ben and one that makes sense in his natural development.

“Ben will have to adapt once again, as he joins a new group of players and experiences an increased standard of quality and athleticism in the Championship.”

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Meanwhile, former County and Cardiff City defender Jazzi Barnum-Bobb (above) is to spend a further week on trial at National League side Wrexham.

Barnum-Bobb was released by the Exiles in February 2018 after nearly two years at Rodney Parade and then played in the Conference South for Chelmsford City.

The 23-year-old featured at right-back during the first half of Wrexham's 4-0 pre-season win at Cefn Druids on Saturday.

"We'll invite Jazzi back next week. He's really impressed me in training," Wrexham manager Bryan Hughes told BBC Wales.

"Jazzi did really well. He's got great fitness levels.

"He had a bit of a tough year last year but has played in the league for Newport and has got a bit of a pedigree."

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