FOREST Green boss Ady Pennock has snapped up Newport County captain and former Wales international David Pipe on a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old Welshman arrives at the New Lawn on a free following his release from the League Two outfit this week.

Despite his versatility, Pipe has played the majority of his career at right-back and is seen as a ready made replacement for Jared Hodgkiss, who left the New Lawn a fortnight ago.

Previously at Bristol Rovers, the tough-tackling defender joined Newport in September 2011 after being given the chance to resurrect his career after serving 15 months in prison after hitting a man over the head with a wine bottle outside a Bristol nightclub fracturing his skull in the process.

He made over a century of appearances with Justin Edingburgh’s County, and captained the Exiles to Wembley appearances in successive seasons.

This culminated in lifting the Football Conference Play-Off trophy last May and saw the Rodney Parade outfit return to the Football League.

He was also named in the ‘Conference’ Team of the Year for 2012/13.

. Caerphilly-born Pipe previously played for Coventry City and, Notts County.

Pipe made one substitute appearance for Wales' full side against the United States in 2003.

On the pitch with Rovers, Pipe enjoyed some good times and played with some notable players.

One of those in fact was Rickie Lambert, the current England and Southampton striker.

Pipe said even back then Lambert was an impressive player.

Pipe said: “I did not think about Rickie playing for England, but every day he did spectacular things on the training pitch.

“He is switched on so much today and he had all the talent in the world.”

Video with David Pipe to follow.