Former Sunderland forward rejects new EFL contract after player of the season campaign

Former Sunderland forward Michael Spellman has left Newport County after turning down a new contract with the League Two club.

The 23-year-old, who joined Newport after leaving Sunderland in 2024, has moved on from Rodney Parade despite being named the club’s supporters’ player of the season.

Spellman scored five goals during the 2025-26 campaign as Newport narrowly avoided relegation to the National League on the final day of the season. His departure is another significant blow for the Exiles, who have also seen winger Bobby Kamwa and captain Matt Baker move on this summer.

Newport confirmed Spellman’s exit in a club statement, saying: “Following discussions over a new contract, Michael Spellman has now chosen to move on, bringing his spell at Newport County to a close. Everyone at the club would like to thank Michael for his commitment and contribution and wish him every success for the future.”

Spellman joined Newport in July 2024 following his release from Sunderland. He had spent two years on Wearside after initially arriving on trial in March 2022, before earning a permanent move later that summer.

The forward’s route into professional football was far from straightforward. Spellman started out with Park View Academy and impressed for Chester-le-Street United, scoring 19 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions, including 14 in 16 in the Wearside League.

That form earned him a trial with Livingston in 2021, though nothing came of that opportunity. Sunderland later took a look at him during the 2021-22 season and handed him a non-contract agreement before signing him permanently in June 2022.

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Spellman made just one appearance for Sunderland in the EFL Cup, but gained experience during loan spells with Whitby Town and Blyth Spartans. He scored once in four appearances during a short spell at Whitby before later joining Blyth for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.

Sunderland confirmed his departure at the end of the 2023-24 season, with Spellman then joining Newport on a two-year deal. Spellman went on to score seven goals across his two seasons with Newport, with five arriving last term as he became an important figure during a difficult campaign.

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