Darlow debut creates County international XI
Karl Darlow’s debut for Wales has been more than 10 years in the making – and all started at Spytty Park.
Leeds keeper Darlow, 33, was still a 21-year-old hopeful at Nottingham Forest when he joined Newport County on loan as they battled to stay in the National League in 2012.
He made his first senior starts under then-County boss Justin Edinburgh and made his mark with the Amber Army, before heading back to Forest and a big move to Newcastle.
It was while at County that Darlow’s Welsh connection emerged, with grandfather – and 1958 Wales forward – Ken Leek from Ynysybwl.
And after turning down enquiries from both Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs, he is now a fully-fledged international after being capped by Craig Bellamy.
But he is not the only former Newport star to have gone on to win international honours – or at least get close - with an almost fully formed XI from over the last decade or so winning caps or being called up by their country after being at the County.
As well as Darlow, the list includes others who have had Premier League experience such as Arsenal defender Ben White, who travelled to major tournaments with England.
And former loan striker Antoine Semenyo – who scored 3 goals in 22 appearances while in south Wales – appeared at the 2022 World Cup.
Only one player in our team has not won a full cap, current Newport defender Matt Baker who has captained Wales Under-21s and was called into the senior squad in June without featuring.
International Exiles XI
GK - Karl Darlow (Wales, 1 cap) – Newport loan 2012, now Leeds
Def – Regan Poole (Wales, 1 cap) – Newport 2014-15, loan 2019, now Portsmouth
Def – Ben White (England, 4 caps) – Newport loan 2017-18, now Arsenal
Def – Matt Baker (Wales, unused sub) – Newport 2023 – Present
Mid – Oli Cooper (Wales, 3 caps) – Newport loan 2021-22, Swansea City
Mid – Otis Kahn (Pakistan, 9 caps) – Newport loan 2020, now Oldham
Mid – Josh Sheehan (Wales, 7 caps) – Newport loan 2016-2021, now Bolton
Mid – Finn Azaz (Rep. Ireland 2 caps) – Newport loan 2021-22, now Middlesbrough
Att – Oli McBurnie (Scotland, 16 caps) – Newport loan 2015, now Las Palmas
Att – Antoine Semenyo (Ghana, 23 caps) – Newport loan 2018-19, now Bournemouth
Att – Mark Harris (Wales, 6 caps) – Newport loan 2018-19, now Oxford