Wrexham have had a hugely successful 2024, with promotion from League Two followed up by a brilliant start to their League One campaign.
With Phil Parkinson earning plaudits for the job he’s done at Wrexham, praise must also go to the Wrexham squad that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have meticulously put together.
The arrivals of Jack Marriott and Luke Bolton in January were supplemented by top summer signings such as Ollie Rathbone and George Dobson, as the Wrexham owners continued to strike gold in the transfer market.
Some of Wrexham’s key stars of 2024 weren’t the star signings, though. So here are Wrexham’s most improved players of 2024.
Max Cleworth
Having struggled to nail down a place in Parkinson’s defence at the start of the League Two season, Max Cleworth began to start games over Christmas and became undroppable in 2024.
Solid defensive displays as well as a crucial winner in Wrexham’s victory over Colchester United during the promotion run-in saw Cleworth become a fan favourite at the Racecourse Ground.
A strong start to the League One campaign, including four goals and a 74% success rate in his tackles, makes him one of Wrexham’s biggest success stories of 2024.
Arthur Okonkwo
Similarly to Cleworth, Arthur Okonkwo became an ever-present in the Wrexham defence after joining on loan from Arsenal in the League Two promotion campaign.
Okonkwo joined Wrexham permanently in June after a stellar loan season and has managed to take his performances to new heights in League One.
The shot-stopper has kept eight clean sheets in 14 appearances this season, with an 82% save success rate and not a single error leading to a goal. Unfortunately, Okonkwo broke his wrist in November but will return in 2025 to excel in goal once more for Wrexham.
Ryan Barnett
Another who has taken their game to new heights in League One is star wing-back Ryan Barnett. After Bolton arrived in January, Barnett had to fight for his starting spot en route to League Two promotion but has made the right side his own in the higher division.
Barnett was linked with Rangers in November and it’s clear to see why, with the wing-back notching seven assists, more than he managed in the full League Two season. He also averages nearly two chances created per 90 minutes, becoming one of the key creative outlets in the Wrexham squad.
This incredible form was rewarded as Barnett signed a new Wrexham deal to warn off interest in a player who has improved dramatically since the move up to a higher division.