Wrexham completed two signings on Friday with Phil Parkinson striking a double deal to bolster his attacking options.
The January transfer deadline is now just hours away and Wrexham’s incoming business may well be done for the month.
Wrexham wanted a striker heading into January and Phil Parkinson has ended up coming away with two.
Reading striker Sam Smith joined Wrexham in a club-record deal, representing the addition of a proven League One goalscorer.
Wrexham then snapped up Jay Rodriguez, luring the 35-year-old away from hometown club Burnley.
Rodriguez has been there and done it in the Championship and Premier League, even picking up an England cap along the way.
Jay Rodriguez reacts to Burnley exit
Rodriguez came up through the Burnley ranks before going onto Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.
The striker returned to Burnley in 2019, spending six more years with the club.
Rodriguez has now decided to move on again and will hope to play a key role in Wrexham’s journey under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
Wrexham fans were impressed with Rodriguez as he was thrown straight into the starting XI to take on Crawley Town on Saturday.
Rodriguez has been through a real whirlwind in the last few days but has now said an emotional goodbye to Burnley.
In an Instagram post, Rodriguez shared a heartfelt message all about his journey from the Burnley academy to captaining the first team.
Rodriguez vowed to give 100% with Wrexham but talked of his pride at being a Burnley boy – and looking forward to a benedictine and hot water, a favourite in Burnley.
“It’s been a whirlwind few days but now I have had a moment to rest and reflect, I just want to say a massive thank you to the fans and Burnley FC who have been behind me from the very start. From 10 years old I have so many memories training down at Gawthorpe Tuesday and Thursday nights in the school of excellence, only dreaming of being able to represent my home town even just once,” said Rodriguez.
“In 310 appearances from scoring my 1st professional goal against Fulham to being captain against Reading most recently, there have been so many memories that I will look back fondly on with pride. I really have lived a Burnley lad’s dream and am extremely proud of being a claret and always will be. I have so many people, players, managers and staff to thank throughout my journey with Burnley FC and I’ve been lucky enough to have made great friends along the way which I’m extremely grateful for.
“Now I am at the start of my new journey with Wrexham AFC. I am so excited to be here, and have been welcomed with open arms from everyone involved and really appreciate it. I will continue to give 100% always and hopefully we can both achieve what we are striving for. Wishing you nothing but happiness and success for the future, I will always be in support and will be back at the turf one day with a ‘benni n hot’ in hand watching the clarets. It’s a bye for now but will see you soon. All my Love,” he added.
Burnley players respond to Jay Rodriguez
Rodriguez’s former Burnley teammates responding with their goodbye messages and well wishes, but one word kept coming up – ‘legend’.
Current Clarets players Maxime Esteve, John Egan and CJ Egan-Riley all called Rodriguez a legend.
Former Burnley trio Vitinho, Hjalmar Ekdal and Hannes Delcroix followed suit.
J.J. Watt praised Rodriguez after finalising his move to Wrexham and also called the striker a ‘legend’ as he departs Turf Moor.
It’s clear that Rodriguez is loved and adored at Burnley, but he will now be looking to receive that same adulation from the Wrexham fans as he gets started at the STōK Cae Ras.