Back of the net: A rare Brentford goal for Hayes

Former Brentford striker Paul Hayes has signed for Newport County after their manager contacted the veteran forward on LinkedIn.

The 34-year-old, who spent a year and a half with the Bees between August 2012 and December 2013, left Wycombe Wanderers by mutual consent in the summer.

He has since taken to advertising his services on the social media networking site, while keeping his fitness up playing for Hemel Hempstead in National League South.

Hayes, who has scored 145 goals in nearly 600 league and cup appearances, admitted his surprise at the way his move came about.

"He got me on LinkedIn. We spoke to each other privately through that, he got my number and we spoke from there," Hayes told Newport's website. "Maybe social media is the way forward for transfers these days!"

Hayes struggled to make an impact with the Bees after joining from Charlton, scoring just four goals in 23 league games over 18 months while going out on loan to Crawley and Plymouth.

He eventually joined Scunthorpe after having his Brentford contract terminated and spent five months there before joining Wycombe, where he had three relatively successful years.

Newport, who only survived relegation to the National League on the final day of last season, have enjoyed a superb start to the new League Two campaign are currently sixth.

County boss Mike Flynn said: "I'm delighted to get Paul in. He is an experienced, quality addition to our squad and will help the strikers who are already at the club. He is still hungry and I'm really looking forward to working with him."

It's not the first time a professional player has used social media in such a way. Hayes' former strike partner at Wycombe, Adebayo Akinfenwa, once famously urged people to 'hit me up' on WhatsApp after being released by AFC Wimbledon.