After three years, three promotions, 150 appearances and 44 goals, Ollie Palmer has left Wrexham, joining League Two side Swindon Town.
After barely playing in the second half of last season, and with Wrexham stepping up to the Championship and signing a horde of new players, it always looked likely that Ollie Palmer would leave the club this summer.
There was a lot of back and forth and a lot of uncertainty with Phil Parkinson having suffered an injury to Josh Windass earlier in the month, whilst Nathan Broadhead has also picked up a minor injury.
On top of that, Palmer impressed in Wrexham’s cup win over Hull City earlier in the month. But as expected, Palmer has left the club, signing for Swindon Town on a permanent deal.
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Phil Parkinson reacts to Ollie Palmer leaving Wrexham
Palmer leaving brings an end to an era, and likewise an end to a very uncertain time in the player’s career. And throughout the summer, it’s not been exactly clear whether or not Palmer has wanted to leave. Previously, it was claimed that Palmer wanted to stay at Wrexham, but Parkinson said that he had spoken with Palmer and told him that he needed to leave the club in order to play regular football.
And speaking to the club after Palmer left the Racecourse for Swindon Town, Parkinson has revealed two potential reasons as to why Palmer has now decided to leave the club, suggesting that Palmer knows he’ll get more of a guarantee of game time with Swindon, and it is also closer to where his family are based.
Parkinson said: “I’d like to wish Ollie all the best. He’s been great for us over the last three-and-a-half years, and it’s a good opportunity for him now to go and get first-team football again – as well as move back closer to his family.”
- READ MORE: As well as Ollie Palmer, Wrexham have officially announced that key figure is leaving the club
Ollie Palmer gives his thoughts after signing for Swindon Town
Speaking after leaving the Dragons, Palmer gave his thoughts on his Wrexham exit, suggesting again that he never wanted to leave the club by saying: “There’s just something special about this football club and you just want it to last forever. Wrexham will have a place in my heart for the rest of my life.
“It’s been the best three and a half years of my career so far easily and something that can never be taken away from me.”
It certainly seems as though the time had come for Palmer to leave. Parkinson has already had to make some tough decisions with other players like Paul Mullin this summer, and there could be many more to make if Wrexham keep moving up the leagues.
Next up, Wrexham take on Millwall in the Championship, whilst Palmer’s Swindon Town go up against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.