James McClean has been crucial to Wrexham’s success since his transfer from Wigan Athletic in 2023.
The Irishman has been something of a controversial figure throughout his career, especially when playing for Sunderland and Wigan.
However, James McClean has quickly cemented himself as a Wrexham legend during his 12-month stint at the Racecourse Ground.
McClean earned high praise from Ben Foster, who described him as the hardest-working professional he has ever seen.
All told, the 104-time capped international has so far made 44 appearances in all competitions for the Welsh outfit.
McClean was a versatile addition to Phil Parkinson’s squad, operating at left-wing-back, on the wing, and even up front on a few occasions.
The 35-year-old scored three and assisted 10 in 37 league matches during the Red Dragons’ most recent promotion-winning campaign.
In turn, Wrexham have signed McClean to a new contract, keeping him at the club until 2026.
Why James McClean joined Wrexham
McClean is just one of several more high-profile names to have made the move to Wales since Hollywood duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over the club in February 2021.
The American owners have been welcomed with open arms by the Wrexham faithful after seeing their club reach League One for the first time in their history.
However, not everyone is a fan of the pair, with Bolton’s manager aiming a dig at the Wrexham owners for their high spending just last week.
Despite the outside perception of Reynolds and McElhenney, however, McClean has recently shown his full support for the Wrexham chiefs.
Speaking on talkSPORT radio on August 9th, the winger explained why he joined Wrexham and praised how the club is run.
He said: “When I left Wigan, the next thing I wanted to do something exciting and be part of a project, and on paper from the outside looking in, I don’t think there’s a better project, a more exciting one, in football at the minute than Wrexham.
“You obviously go there a bit curious. Is it just a gimmick or is it a real deal? And it has turned out to be a real deal.
“They do things properly, they have ambitions. It’s not a gimmick, and so far that has proved to the case.”
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James McClean will be key figure for Wrexham in 2024/25
Despite his age, McClean is expected to be an important player for the Welsh side in the 2024/25 League One season, which will be the club’s first in the third tier of English football.
Wrexham face Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day of the campaign on August 10th and Parkinson may have to use McClean out of position.
Star striker and top scorer in 2023/24 Paul Mullin is injured and will miss their opening day fixture as a result.
With Mullin sidelined, Parkinson has limited quality centre-forwards to pick from going into the weekend.
Ollie Palmer will be one of their top strikers, but who will partner the 32-year-old remains up for debate.
Jack Marriott has scored just one goal for the club since he joined back in January 2024.
This has led to Parkinson using McClean out of position as a centre-forward during some of Wrexham’s pre-season games.
The former Wigan man impressed in said outings and could start up top against Wycombe.