Nyakuhwa hoping to write 'own little story' at Newport

"When I heard Newport County was serious, I was interested."

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa is excited about the prospect of playing for his hometown club.

The League Two strugglers have signed Nyakuhwa from Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season and the winger is relishing the chance to represent the club he grew up watching.

"To be able to come here to play and write my own little story at this football club is nice," said Nyakuhwa.

It will be the 20-year-old's first move away from Cardiff, the club he has represented since the age of 7.

He has made nine senior appearances this season but only two starts, both in the EFL Trophy, and the need for regular football became impossible to ignore.

"I've been at Cardiff since the age of seven really, so that's all I've known until now. I wanted to play a bit more than I did at Cardiff, so I was happy to get this opportunity now," he added.

For a player entering a crucial stage of his development, Newport offered something simple but priceless - minutes in the football league.

"That's the biggest attraction to this club, the opportunity to play games," explained Nyakuwha.

"It's my hometown, so there's not too much change. I know some of the boys here. It's an opportunity for me to play some games, get some minutes under my belt and show the fans, the people, what I can do."

While he may be a new face to County fans, Nyakuhwa has already shown what he can do at Rodney Parade.

In September, he was involved in both goals for Wales U21s in a 6-2 loss to Denmark on the same pitch he will call home for the next few months.

"I've played for Wales U21s at Rodney Parade, scored, assisted here," he said.

"Hopefully I can get a few more goals now. I'm looking forward to it."

It is a ground Nyakuwha knows well, not just as a player, but as a supporter.

"I've been in the stands. I was even in the stands this season watching some of my friends play. It's nice to be a player now.

"Growing up seeing the FA Cup runs is one thing that sticks out in my mind. One thing I always remember about County is watching these big teams, seeing them come down to Rodney Parade."

With former Newport County loanee Antoine Semenyo making headlines at Manchester City, Nyakuhwa will be hoping his first taste of the football league can propel a similar trajectory.

Growing up watching clips of Ronaldinho's flicks and tricks on YouTube has shaped the kind of winger Nyakuwha hopes to be.

"I'm a direct winger, a tricky winger. I like to take my man on. I like to create chances, score goals. I'm a lively player," said Nyakuwha.

"I like players that like to take people on and entertain the crowd and that's what I try to do.

"I'm on my own journey, and County's my first step, so I'd like to make a good impression here."

His ambition now meets its first real test and he has made sure to seek advice from Cardiff midfielder, Joel Colwill, who previously had loan spells at Exeter and Cheltenham.

"I asked him what it's like getting used to new surroundings. He said it's a good opportunity to play football and that's the main thing.

"I'd love to help the club get out of their current situation. If I can contribute with goals and assists, then even better."

Nyakuwha's new manager also sees the flair within him.

"When I asked him what he thinks his super strength is, he said scoring goals and assists. That's exactly why we signed him. In the final third, he can be a real threat for us until the end of the season," said Newport boss Christian Fuchs.

Friends and family have been flooding Nyakuwha's phone with messages since the move was announced.

"It's a nice feeling. It's all new experiences for me, which is only going to help me in my career. I'm going to enjoy every moment of it," he added.

For a local lad with pace, flair and ambition, Newport County is not just a loan move. It is the first chapter of his "own little story" and a trip to Gillingham on Saturday (15:00 GMT) may be the perfect place to start writing it.