Wrexham secured the signature of Issa Kabore on deadline day as Phil Parkinson struck another deal with Manchester City.
Phil Parkinson brought three new faces to Wrexham on deadline day, finishing the transfer window in style.
Ben Sheaf and Dominic Hyam both arrived on permanent deals and are back together once more, having played together at Coventry City.
Wrexham also landed Issa Kabore, taking the right wing-back on loan from Manchester City for the duration of the season.
Wrexham held face-to-face talks with City to sign Callum Doyle, and returned to then snap up Kabore before the window closed.
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New Wrexham signing Issa Kabore has been praised by World Cup winner
Kabore arrives at Wrexham in need of first-team minutes.
The 24-year-old joined City in 2020, but has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League champions and has spent most of his time out on loan.
Kabore returned to Mechelen before spells with Troyes, Marseille, Luton Town, Benfica and Werder Bremen.
Now heading to Wrexham, Kabore is looking to find his best form once again – and has previously been backed by a World Cup winner.
As quoted by RMC Sport, former Marseille defender Adil Rami once praised Kabore as a ‘machine’.
Rami, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, admitted being impressed with Kabore during his time at Marseille.
Rami suggested that Kabore simply doesn’t care about critics, praising his mental strength and his ability to battle.
Kabore was hailed as a ‘soldier’ and a ‘real warrior’, with Rami seemingly loving Kabore’s character as much as his technical ability.
“He’s a machine, a soldier like you like them,” said Rami.
“The guy doesn’t talk, doesn’t flinch, takes hits and gets back up. He’s not afraid to go into a duel. He doesn’t give a damn about the critics; he’s there, mentally strong, and he’s a real warrior. He’s not afraid, we should call him that,” he added.
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Issa Kabore could win permanent Wrexham deal
City saw potential in Kabore during his early days at Mechelen, but becoming a first-team player under Pep Guardiola is not easy.
Kabore has struggled for first-team action at City and, now at the age of 24, a breakthrough looks unlikely.
This is Kabore’s seventh loan move away from City, and 2026 will surely bring the prospect of a permanent exit.
A strong season with Wrexham would surely open up the possibility of a full-time move to the STōK Cae Ras, with Kabore seeking a full-time home.
Kabore faces competition from Ryan Barnett and Ryan Longman, but he may view this move as the first step towards many years as a Wrexham player.