FORMER Forest Green Rovers striker Jon Parkin wants to score ‘plenty of goals’ for his new club, League Two outfit Newport County, next season.

Parkin has signed a one-year deal with the Exiles to play at Rodney Parade after leaving Forest Green last week.

Forest Green boss Mark Cooper praised Parkin’s contribution when he left the New Lawn by mutual consent - despite having a year left on his contract.

Cooper said: “Jon has been fantastic for the club and been great with me from the day I came in.

"I think he understands (that his exit) is just football, we need to evolve and change things a bit.

“He’s been great with the younger players and will continue to train with us for the rest of the week. I can’t speak highly enough about Jon."

The 34-year-old finished both seasons at the top of the Forest Green’s goal scoring charts, playing an integral role in helping Rovers towards two play-off finishes.

He netted an impressive 44 goals in all competitions from 96 appearances.

But just a week after that departure, the former Cardiff City, Stoke, Hull City and Preston attacker has returned to the Football League Feeney has grabbed Parkin, 34, known as ‘The Beast’, as Newport County continue to assess attacker Lenell John-Lewis’ injury picked up during the friendly clash with Caldicot Town.

Parkin said: “Returning to the Football League was a big bonus for me because I wanted at least another season at this level to challenge myself and hopefully I can score plenty of goals for the team.”

Manager Feeney added: “Jon is another signing that will help the team tremendously because of the experience he brings to the squad.”