Oxford United midfielder Adam Chapman has joined newly promoted Newport County for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old is no stranger to the Exiles after enjoying a loan spell in South Wales back in January 2012, and seals a permanent deal at the club alongside another ex-United player, Chris Zebroski.

Chapman was loaned to Mansfield Town at the end of last season, helping the Stags become Blue Square Premier champions alongside ex-Oxford duo Matt Green and Adam Murray. Despite the club desperately wanting Chapman to remain at the Field Mill this season, the former Sheffield United youth graduate opted for a switch back to Newport, possibly due to his relationship with boss Justin Edinburgh.

County deem Chapman’s capture as a ‘major coup’ prior to their first season back in the Football League, having defeated Wrexham 2-0 in the Conference Play-Off Final last month.

‘Chappers’ will always be remembered at United for his inspired man-of-the-match performance at Wembley when the Us beat York City 3-1 to gain promotion into Division Four back in May 2010.

Despite the creative midfielder signing a new two-year contract at the Kassam Stadium last summer, Chapman has found first-team chances hard to come by under manager Chris Wilder. With United looking to build a fresh squad to challenge for promotion, Chapman has been allowed to leave to make way for a replacement.

Newport boss Edinburgh was delighted to have him on-board, saying: “Adam was with promoted champions Mansfield this season and he’s a great asset to the team as he gets forward and score goals which will fit into the style of football we want to play here next season.”