Newport County have signed Millwall defender Sid Nelson on loan for the remainder of the season, as confirmed on the club website.
Boyhood Millwall fan Nelson has been with the club since the age of eight and made his debut in 2014 in a Championship 2-1 loss to Bournemouth. The 21-year-old has only managed nine appearances for the Lions this season, with his last coming in December’s 1-0 loss to Shrewsbury Town.
The Exiles are sat rock-bottom of League Two and require some much-needed defence reinforcements. Nelson can bring a degree of higher-division experience having made 38 appearances for Millwall, including 14 Championship fixtures.
Newport boss Graham Wesley was delighted to wrap-up the transfer deal, “19 goals conceded in seven league games tells you that we lack defensive stability. There’s no disrespect to any player in that statement.
“An effective defence needs a balance of the right ingredients and we just do not have the right balance at the club. Introducing the right players will make a huge difference to our performances and results. I’m delighted that Millwall, Sid Nelson and his excellent agent believe in the opportunity for Sid to contribute and develop here. I’ve seen a lot of him in both Under 21 and League 1 football, where he helped his club into the league 1 play offs last year and I’m sure that the Newport fans will love the heart and quality that he will put into defending our goal.
“His signing is another of the necessary positive steps towards putting ourselves into a position where we can consistently win League Two games.”
Sid Nelson could make his Newport County debut in Saturday’s trip to Stevenage. The South Wales club are currently five points from safety with a game in hand.
