Wrexham have secured a first signing of the January transfer window with Phil Parkinson bolstering his options at the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham fans have been waiting patiently for new signings in what has been a strange January.
Phil Parkinson’s side have only played four times this month and two of those games came on Thursday nights.
Add in two postponements and this January has had a rather unfamiliar feel for Wrexham.
A lack of incoming transfer business has frustrated some fans, especially with Huddersfield Town spending big and Wycombe Wanderers shopping in Europe.
It took a while but Parkinson has his first signing of the window done and dusted with Ryan Longman joining Wrexham on Friday.
Ryan Longman’s former teammates react to Wrexham deal
Reports last week suggested that Wrexham were close to signing Longman in a £500,000 swoop.
Oxford United wanted Longman but Wrexham managed to win the race.
This is a big signing for Parkinson as Wrexham actually chased Longman last summer and have finally lured him to North Wales.
Longman has taken to Instagram to react to his move, sharing a message to the Wrexham fanbase.
“Excited to sign for such a historic club. Looking forward to the times ahead and helping the club achieve their dreams,” said Longman.
The 24-year-old – who can play as a winger, wing back or even as a striker – received messages from a number of former team-mates.
Former Hull City teammates Di’Shon Bernard and Abu Kamara sent their best wishes to Longman, with Matty Jacob adding ‘all the best’.
Romain Esse celebrated Longman’s move having played together at Millwall whilst Lions ace Adam Mayor and former stopper Bartosz Bialkowski congratulated him.
Millwall’s Daniel Kelly added ‘love it mate’ whilst Middlesbrough’s Marcus Forss applauded the move having played with Longman at Hull.
Ex-Brighton teammate Haydon Roberts stated ’some move’, seemingly impressed with Longman’s switch to Wrexham and the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds project.
Ryan Longman could make swift Wrexham debut
Longman is now signed up and having the free weekend to settle in should be ideal for his start to life at Wrexham.
Phil Parkinson will be assessing Longman closely in training as he weighs up an almost instant debut for his new signing.
Wrexham host Stevenage on Tuesday night and Longman may well be involved.
A place on the bench seems the most likely course of action here with Parkinson no doubt keen to ease Longman into action.
Parkinson was patient with Ollie Rathbone and Lewis Brunt after their summer arrivals but they have both become key players.
A similar approach may be taken with Longman but with less of the season to go, Wrexham will perhaps expect a bigger instant impact from the new man.