Wrexham star James McClean is set to play a pivotal role in the club’s 2025/26 Championship season. But it could well be his last season with the Dragons.
James McClean joined Wrexham when the club were in League Two. Next season he’ll lead them out in the Championship, marking an incredible achievement for himself and for the club.
Everyone is a huge fan of McClean. Ryan Reynolds has spoken fondly of McClean on many occasions and manager Phil Parkinson often hails the Irishman’s experience and leadership qualities.
Not only that, but he was a key performer last season too. The 36-year-old scored four times and assisted seven more in 42 League One appearances for the Dragons, though his future at the Racecourse will quickly become a talking point.
McClean is among the Wrexham players out of contract in 2026 and if the Dragons go on to earn another promotion, or if they stabilise in the Championship and can attract more quality players next summer, then McClean could be let go after what would be a three-year stint at the club.
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James McClean could seal emotional return to former club next year
McClean counts some top teams among his former clubs including the likes of Sunderland, West Brom, Stoke City and many more. But it all started in his hometown with Derry City, and the former Republic of Ireland international recently appeared on the podcast Talking Derry City, where he suggested that he’d be open to a Derry City return one day.
McClean revealed how he’s in regular contact with current manager Tiernan Lynch and how he thinks he’s got the club on the right path, before being asked if he’d consider returning to the club at the end of next season when his current Wrexham deal expires.
He said: “I think it all depends on Wrexham. I’m enjoying life at Wrexham and obviously with my son being at Crewe there as well, the longer that I’m at Wrexham it makes sense because I’m loving life there. But all good things one day come to an end, so whenever that is obviously the next step for me is to come home and play for Derry. But, like I said, whenever that is isn’t up to me.”
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Who are the other Wrexham players out of contract in the summer of 2026?
McClean isn’t the only one who could be leaving the Racecourse next season. In fact we could see a bit of an overhaul to the playing squad with 10 others set to become free agent in the summer of 2026.
Among those is Luke McNicholas who’s just joined Forest Green Rovers on loan, Jay Rodriguez, Jack Marriott, Luke Bolton, Georg Evans, Andy Cannon, Matty James, Jacob Mendy and Ollie Palmer.
Wrexham will sell players this summer and we might even see the likes of Mendy, Bolton and maybe one or two other lesser-used players move on, joining the likes of Will Boyle who’s joined Shrewsbury Town on a permanent deal.
For now though, McClean goes into the new season as a key player for Wrexham both on and off the pitch. There’ll come a time to discuss his future but there’s every chance that he carries on playing for Wrexham for some more years yet.