Wrexham wanted a new left wing back to compete with Jacob Mendy last summer but few would have predicted a move for James McClean.
Mendy had fared well in the National League, not just with Wrexham but also with Wealdstone and Boreham Wood.
The now-Gambia international had never played EFL football though and Wrexham understandably wanted to find proven competition.
Callum McFadzean wasn’t viewed as being that player, so Wrexham dipped into the market. In came James McClean, arriving from Wigan Athletic in a deal worth around £250,000. The veteran wingback had racked up 46 appearances in the Championship during the 2022-23 season.
Yet with Wigan happy for him to move on, Wrexham pounced and landed something of a coup by bringing McClean down to League Two.
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Ryan Reynolds on James McClean
McClean unsurprisingly played a key role in Wrexham’s promotion to League One. The 35-year-old turned out 37 times in League Two, recording three goals as well as 10 assists.
Whilst brought in as a left-wing back, we saw plenty of McClean playing in midfield too, showing his versatility under Phil Parkinson.
Season three, episode two of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ has now documented McClean’s arrival with Parkinson admitting that another body was needed at left wing-back.
McClean ended up being the man for Parkinson as he joined on a one-year contract with the option of another year.
“So when we were in America, obviously we were looking for someone to compete with Jacob Mendy in that left wing-back position and then we started looking at James McClean,” said Parkinson. “So I started watching him and I thought ‘well, he’s by far the best player we can get in that position’,” he added.
The move seemingly has the approval of co-owner Ryan Reynolds, who admitted that he loves watching McClean thanks to his ‘scrappy’ nature.
“I love watching him – God, what a scrapper,” said Reynolds.
McClean on his Wrexham move
McClean took a gamble by dropping from League One to League Two, just weeks after he was playing in the Championship.
The Irishman is not the first player to drop down the leagues in order to play for Wrexham and he explained why he made that decision.
McClean noted that, at this stage in his career, he needed a move which was really going to excite him.
Wrexham offered that project for McClean, who wants to be part of history at the STōK Cae Ras – and ultimately look back on his time at the club with pride.
“I’m at a stage in my career where I want something that’s going to excite me and the Wrexham one ticked all the boxes. People want to be remembered as part of history, so if we go on to achieve the success, then obviously I will be a part of that history and look back with a great sense of pride,” said McClean.
There has been no official confirmation of McClean’s contract option being taken up but we would be surprised if he isn’t at the club next season.
A proven performer at left wing-back and in midfield, McClean should still be a key man for Parkinson after promotion.
McClean clearly loves the Wrexham vision and he has already made history by winning promotion to League One; let’s hope he is part of more history-making moments yet.