Ambitions Wrexham have made a habit of signing experienced performers who could handle life at a far higher level during the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney era.
In that sense, a former Premier League winner who spent last season in the division above is almost the definition of the trademark, modern-day Wrexham signing.
Matty James, after featuring 39 times for Championship outfit Bristol City during 2023/24, could make his debut under Phil Parkinson during this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Harrogate Town.
The second of two free-agents to arrive on Friday, Wrexham signed striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson after injuries to Steven Fletcher and Jack Marriott.
Former Leicester City and Manchester United man James arrives in Wales, meanwhile, following the loss of George Evans until the New Year.
Phil Parkinson explains Matty James role at Wrexham
In Parkinson’s system, the deepest-lying midfielder is relied upon to set the tempo. To dictate things in possession and help win back the ball in the defensive third.
And James, who’s pass completion rate last term stood at an impressive 88 per cent while also averaging 1.5 successful tackles per game, could prove to be an inspired bit of business on an initial short-term deal.
“I think that number six role is quite a specialised position for us,” Parkinson tells reporters. “It is a player who controls the game and has a lot of responsibility with and without the ball, and Matty specialises in that role.
“Obviously George Evans being out injured at least until January and George Dobson being on four bookings [one away from a suspension], we felt we needed another player.
“Matty has been training with us and he is a player of high quality. He is a great character and you can see that already, he has been brilliant around the group.”
Former Leicester City ace could have joined Leeds United
James was on the radars of Leeds United and Coventry City before arriving at Wrexham, per the Daily Mail.
That in itself is testament to how highly the 2016 Premier League winner is regarded in England’s second tier. Parkinson, meanwhile, reveals that there was indeed ‘a lot of interest’ in James, albeit without opening up on the clubs who made moves of their own before Wrexham got their man.
“Matty played a lot of Championship football last season,” adds the former Bolton and Sunderland coach.
“A few deals didn’t quite fall into place in the summer and, all of a sudden, you end up without a club when initially there was a lot of interest in him.
“But all we are concerned about is he is here with us now. He is a good player for our young players to learn from as well.”