Wrexham have completed the signing of Danny Ward as Phil Parkinson adds a new goalkeeper after allowing three to leave.
July was always likely to bring more activity for Wrexham.
Phil Parkinson is a patient man in the transfer market, and only one signing was made during June.
Wrexham snapped up Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle, but wasted no time in making the first signing of July.
Danny Ward completed his move to Wrexham on Tuesday, signing a two-year deal to rejoin his hometown club.
Ward was released by Leicester City at the end of his contract and now arrives to provide competition for Arthur Okonkwo, following the exits of Mark Howard, Liam Hall and Brad Foster.
Danny Ward on Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds
Ward hails from Wrexham and grew up supporting the club while emerging through the youth ranks.
Liverpool came calling for Ward in 2012, and the stopper left Wrexham without ever making a first-team appearance.
More than a decade on, Ward is now back at the STōK Cae Ras and will hope for first-team action this coming season.
Ward has previously praised Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds for the impact they have made at Wrexham, so it only seems right that he has now signed for the Hollywood duo.
Speaking to Wrexham’s official YouTube channel, Ward has reiterated his praise for the Wrexham owners.
Ward noted that Wrexham were in a ‘difficult period’ when he left the club, but has felt the positivity around the McElhenney and Reynolds era from afar.
Ward praised their work as ‘unbelievable’, highlighting that it isn’t just about money, but what they have done for the Wrexham community as a whole.
“From when I left, we were in a difficult period financially,” said Ward.
“To see the owners come in, and it’s not all about finances, of course it helps, but what they’ve done… they’ve shed a light on the town and the people, what they’ve done for the playing staff, what they’re doing at the ground, as you see with the new Kop coming in, the whole vibe around the place, even from afar you can feel it.
“It’s been unbelievable. To now be able to help contribute and be part of that is something that I think will be quite special,” he added.
Paul Mullin and Ben Foster show support for Danny Ward’s Wrexham move
This move clearly means a lot to Ward, who is now seeing his boyhood club make progress he could have only fantasised about 10 years ago.
Ward may start his Wrexham career as second choice to Okonkwo, but he will just be desperate to make an impact in any way possible.
As Wrexham showcased Ward draped in a Welsh flag at the STōK Cae Ras, the Instagram post received ‘likes’ from some notable figures.
Former Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster and recently departed striker Paul Mullin both ‘liked’ the post, as did Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison, having played with Ward at Leicester City.
A string of current stars followed suit, with Ward given a warm welcome upon an emotional return to the club.