Wrexham fans are bubbling with excitement after the club announced their first summer signing.
Wrexham confirmed the signing of Ryan Hardie for a reported fee of £700k and becomes Phil Parkinson’s first addition ahead of the Championship campaign.
Plymouth fans were sad to see Hardie leave after the striker played 248 games for the club and helped inspire a famous FA Cup victory over Liverpool last season.
Hardie turned down a new contract at Plymouth in order to join Wrexham and now joins a host of attacking options that the Red Dragons have at their disposal.
Winners from Ryan Hardie’s transfer to Wrexham
Phil Parkinson
Parkinson has been keen to add to his attacking options and Hardie is a player the manager has admired for some time after attempts to sign him back in January were thwarted.
Hardie is a player that is proven at Championship level and will provide a perfect foil for Wrexham’s record signing Sam Smith.
The 28-year-old presses from the front and can hold the ball up well – an attribute that is vital to how Parkinson sets his team up to play.
Sam Smith
Smith has a point to prove next season and news of Hardie’s arrival will be excellent news for the Red Dragons’ main man up top.
During the League One promotion run-in, Smith cut an isolated figure at times and often had to create chances for himself – something that would prove more challenging with the step up in quality.
However, Hardie now provides Smith with a genuine partner and their skillsets are set to complement each other to great effect.
Losers from Ryan Hardie’s transfer to Wrexham
Jay Rodriguez
Jay Rodriguez was brought into the club back in January to provide a partner for Smith and whilst his experience was invaluable during the promotion push, the veteran striker struggled.
Andy Morrell has defended Rodriguez amid criticism from fans however, Hardie’s arrival spells bad news for the former England international.
Hardie has the ability to play as an out and out striker but his former Plymouth boss Miron Muslic also used him in a deeper number ten role.
Rodriguez dropped deep last season and simply didn’t have the skillset to play the role, Hardie looks like he is the replacement.
Ollie Palmer
Ollie Palmer was asked to leave by Parkinson during last season as the Wrexham manager felt that a loan spell would be the best option for his career.
Palmer decided to stay and fight for his place however, with another arrival in his position and of a player with a similar style, the writing is well and truly on the wall now.
The 33-year-old will not be short of options this summer as his proven track record speaks for itself but surely his time at the Racecourse Ground is now up as he continues to slip down the pecking order.
Modou Faal
Modou Faal could leave on loan this summer and after Hardie’s announcement, that now looks even more likely.
Faal struggled to make an impact during his first season in North Wales and any ambitions of forcing his way into Parkinson’s plans now look beyond the young talent.
The door will not be closed on his future but a season learning his trade in Leagues One or Two now looks the best way to kickstart his career.