Third player makes transfer to same club after Newport County exit

Cardiff Draconians have completed the signing of former Newport County youngster Amani Babah as they continue to strengthen their squad following a difficult start to the Cymru South season.

He featured for Newport County’s youth team during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons before stepping up to join the Exiles’ first-team pre-season preparations last summer. The young full-back has now moved to Cardiff Draconians as he looks to continue his development in senior football.

Babah is part of a summer of change in Cardiff North, with several players departing and manager Nana Baah tasked with finding suitable replacements. Dan Lewis left to join Afan Lido, while Marinho Manga moved to Penybont, where he has featured in the UEFA Conference League.

How have Newport County trio fared since leaving

The 18-year-old becomes the third player to leave the Exiles and join the Dracs this summer. Cameron Egan and Declan Roswell arrived at Llydstep Park earlier in the summer.

Babah made his Cardiff Draconians debut in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Pontypridd United. However, his first appearance was cut short when he was replaced by Luke Evans with three minutes of the first half remaining after picking up a slight injury.

Egan and Roswell had already made their competitive debuts for the club. Both came off the bench in the opening-day defeat to Ynyshir Albions, while Egan also featured as a substitute against Caerphilly Athletic. Neither player was involved against Pontypridd.

Experienced Gullick joins Cardiff Dracs

The Draconians have also added significant experience to their attack with the signing of striker Luke Gullick from Cymru South rivals Caerau Ely.

Gullick perfectly marked his debut, scoring the equaliser against his former club Pontypridd United.

The 39-year-old has joined following the departure of several forwards from the Dracs and will provide additional experience and firepower to their frontline.

Gullick was named among the substitutes for Caerau Ely’s opening-day fixture against Carmarthen Town, but now begins a new chapter with Cardiff Draconians.

He enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, registering 10 goals and five assists in 27 appearances.

The forward has enjoyed an extensive career, with previous spells including Pontypridd United, Trethomas Bluebirds, Chippenham Town and Swindon Supermarine.

Gullick was a long-serving figure at Pontypridd and played an important role during their promotion-winning years. Since the formation of the Cymru South in the 2019/20 season, he has scored 34 goals in 69 appearances in the second tier.

Dracs searching for first win

Cardiff Draconians remain without a victory from their opening three league matches, although there have been encouraging signs in their performances.

They suffered a late defeat against Ynyshir Albions on the opening day, conceding a last-gasp goal, before producing an impressive display to earn a point against newly promoted Caerphilly Athletic.

The Dracs were reduced to 10 men in that match after Cole Male was sent off on his debut, but they held on to secure a valuable draw.

Against Pontypridd on Saturday, August 15, Cardiff Draconians matched their opponents throughout the first half before the visitors turned the game on its head.

Three goals in the space of just six minutes ultimately secured a 4-1 victory for Pontypridd, leaving the Dracs still searching for their first win of the campaign.

Their next opportunity comes on Saturday, August 22, when they host Llanelli Town. The Reds, like the Dracs, have picked up one point, which came against Trethomas Bluebirds, but suffered defeats to Newport City and Pure Swansea.

Another Newport County youngster finds a new home

Amani Babah is not the only former Newport County youngster to have found a new club this summer, with Jaden Bahumaid also making the move into senior football.

Caerau Ely further strengthened their squad with the signing of the 18-year-old, who made his debut in last Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to Carmarthen Town on the opening day of the Cymru South season. Bahumaid marked the occasion with an assist.

The youngster returned to Ely after previously coming through the ranks at Ely Rangers, progressing from junior football to make several senior appearances in the South Wales Premier League. He registered six goals and five assists at that level.

His ability to adapt to senior football at such a young age caught the attention of Newport County, who signed Bahumaid for the 2024/25 season. He went on to represent the Exiles in the FAW Youth Cup before departing the club this summer.

Bahumaid has now taken the next step in his development with Caerau Ely, giving him another opportunity to establish himself in the Cymru South.

Cardiff Draconians boss Nana Baah joins FAW Council

Cardiff Draconians boss Nana Baah has been appointed to the FAW Council as a representative for coaches across Welsh football.

The experienced coach brings almost 20 years of involvement in the domestic game to the position, having worked across different levels of the Welsh football pyramid in both coaching and leadership roles.

Baah is a former FAW Coach Educator and, in his role with Cardiff Draconians, has continued to work closely with the development of players and coaches.

His work away from the touchline has also included involvement with Show Racism the Red Card Wales, with equality and inclusion forming an important part of his work within the game.

The new role will allow Baah to bring his experience of grassroots football, coach education and club development to the FAW Council, while providing a voice for coaches from across Wales.

Reacting to his appointment, Baah said it was a “proud moment” and that he was “honoured” to take on the position.

He thanked the FAW for putting its faith in him and said he would give the role his full commitment while working to represent coaches across Welsh football.