NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has signed free agent Paul Hayes after contacting the striker via social networking service LinkedIn.

The 34-year-old former Wycombe Wanderers forward has signed a contract to keep him at Rodney Parade until the end of the season.

He will not be available for tonight’s home clash with Colchester United.

A statement from the club reads: “We are delighted to announce that striker Paul Hayes has joined the Exiles until the end of the season.

“The deal is subject to international clearance and Paul will not be available for tonight’s match.

”Hayes has also played for Scunthorpe United, Barnsley and Charlton Athletic amongst others and has made nearly 500 appearances in League Two, League One, and the Championship.

Exiles boss Flynn said: “I’m delighted to get Paul in.

“He is an experienced, quality addition to our squad and will help the strikers who are already at the Club.

“He is still hungry and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

South Wales Argus:

Hayes (pictured avbove in action at Rodney Parade in 2016) explained that the move came about after Flynn got in touch with him online.

He said: “He got me on LinkedIn. We spoke to each other privately through that, he got my number and we spoke from there.

“Maybe social media is the way forward for transfers these days!

“I’m happy to get it over the line," he added. "I’ve been speaking to the manager for a week or so now so I can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve been around a long time and I try to represent whichever manager I play for out on the field.

“I’ve got a lot of experience behind me and a lot of goals.

“I just want to contribute any way I can to the team."

Hayes, who scored twice for Wycombe at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup in January, said the love that Flynn shows for the club and for the players was another big factor in moving to Rodney Parade.

“I’ve just left a manager who loves the club and would do anything for his players in Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe,” he said.

“And coming here, [Flynn] just reminds me of Gareth and looking at how much success Wycombe had, I don’t think Newport are too far off that.”