Michael Spellman leaves Newport after rejecting new deal following supporters’ player of the season award | OneFootball

Michael Spellman has left Newport County after rejecting a new contract, the former Sunderland forward departing despite being voted the club’s supporters’ player of the season.

The 23-year-old scored five goals in 2025-26 as the Exiles avoided relegation to the National League on the final day. His exit follows summer departures for winger Bobby Kamwa and captain Matt Baker.

The club said in a statement that, after talks over fresh terms, Spellman chose to move on, and it thanked him for his commitment while wishing him success in the future.

Spellman joined Newport in July 2024 on a two-year deal after his release from Sunderland. He scored seven goals across his two seasons at Rodney Parade.

He had spent two years on Wearside after arriving on trial in March 2022, earning a permanent contract that June. He made one EFL Cup appearance and went on loan to Whitby Town and Blyth Spartans, scoring once in four outings for Whitby and joining Blyth for the remainder of 2022-23.

His path into the professional game began at Park View Academy, then a prolific spell with Chester-le-Street United, where he hit 19 in 23 across competitions, including 14 in 16 in the Wearside League. A trial with Livingston in 2021 did not lead to a move, and Sunderland initially offered a non-contract agreement during the 2021-22 season.

Source: Sunderland Echo