Jake Wright is 17-year-old an attacking midfielder and has joined from Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division One side Newport (IoW), where he has made appearances for the first team since the age of 16.

The youngster previously played for Portsmouth academy between the ages of 8 and 14.

He played in a recent trial game and immediately impressed Gale,l who told his club`s website: “He was brought to my attention by a good friend, who I have worked within football before on the Isle of Wight. He was at Portsmouth as a young lad and had been playing in Newport’s first team while only being 17.

“I spoke to a few others about him, and I was impressed by him, plus he played in the trial game and was excellent on the day.

“We’re trying to get the best youngsters and at 17-years-old he showed maturity and is used to playing against men, I think the kid has got a bright future ahead of him.

“I won’t be surprised if he is around our first team. This will be a new challenge for him to step up to the next level, with no disrespect to the level he has been playing at.”

Ryan Hughes (pictured) is a full-back who has also joined the club from Newport.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed plenty of success with the club’s youth team, winning the Hampshire cup and national champions at St George’s Park.

He made his first-team debut at the age of 16 and has gone onto make 70 appearances for the club, as well representing the Isle of Wight.

Gale said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Hughes is also challenging for the first team, despite his age: “I was impressed and did well going forward, he has a great engine on him. He has played about 70 games for Newport’s first team and he’s only 18-years-old, which is impressive for a youngster to do in men’s football.

“He’s training full-time with the men’s team so if he’s doing well there is no reason for him not to be knocking on the first team. I like his attitude and desire to work, he fits the bill well here and again shows that we can attract great young talent”.