Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds showed a clear change in Wrexham’s transfer strategy this summer after winning promotion from League Two.
Wrexham were a club once known for their method of signing older, more experienced players who could fast-track Phil Parkinson to success.
The Reds often chose to sign players over the age of 30 such as James McClean and Steven Fletcher instead of building for the future.
That worked a treat last season, as McClean and Fletcher both played vital roles in Wrexham’s second-place finish and promotion to League One.
Now they’re in the third tier however, there has been a clear switch in transfer strategy from Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
Phil Parkinson comments on ‘exciting’ Wrexham transfer strategy
This summer, Wrexham brought in nine new players to overhaul their squad after Parkinson chose to release some of the old guard.
Compared to previous years, there was a clear focus on signing younger players for the long-term, with Sebastian Revan, Mo Faal and Josh Adam all aged 21 and under while Arthur Okonkwo and Lewis Brunt are both in their early 20s.
Mixing this youthful exuberance with experienced professionals such as Fletcher, McClean and Paul Mullin means Parkinson has struck the perfect balance in his squad, and the Wrexham boss has now explained why they went down the route of recruiting younger players.
Speaking to The Leader, Parkinson said: “The top end of the transfers in this division have been out of our reach but we have looked at that and gone down a different route in signing some younger players who are going to grow with the club over the next few years.
“As we went into the summer transfer window, we realised there were some astronomical fees being asked for players which were out of what we wanted to spend and what we felt was right for the club at this particular stage.
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“We assessed what we wanted to do and we’ve brought in Mo, Seb, Arthur, Lewis and Josh. Good young players who are going to improve with the club. We have re-aligned the average age in the squad this summer.
“A lot of thought has gone into the recruitment and I am pleased with the balance we have got between those experienced players like McClean and Fletcher who are great role models to help our younger lads.
“It is exciting to be working with these players and so far as a group, we have acquitted ourselves well.”
Wrexham’s transfer strategy is sustainable
Parkinson touched on Birmingham’s huge spending in the transfer window as to why they signed young players for cheap instead of trying to compete with the Blues.
But this could be a blessing in disguise, as a talented squad has been assembled with the future in mind and this will save the club money in the long run.
For instance, signing Okonkwo on a free transfer – arguably the best goalkeeper in League One – is an astute piece of business.
Likewise, the captures of Revan and Faal are impressive in their own right, with Revan showing some real early promise in a Wrexham jersey.
Compared to how they bought players previously, it is refreshing to see the Welsh outfit switch to a more sustainable strategy, where they sign youngsters who they can develop into stars.