Wrexham have signed some big names since Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac’s takeover, one of whom left Humphrey Ker surprised.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac’s pull and financial backing have allowed Wrexham to land a much, much higher calibre of player than fans were accustomed to seeing at the Racecourse Ground pre-2021.
Their first statement signing came in the summer of 2021 when they convinced League Two’s top goalscorer and promotion winner, Paul Mullin, to sign for free.
The trend of signing big-name players who were probably a level above Wrexham at the time continued for several years, including one 2023 addition that left Humphrey Ker in shock.
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Humphrey Ker reaction to Wrexham signing James McClean
Wrexham signed James McClean from Wigan Athletic during the summer of 2023.
McClean, a former Republic of Ireland international, has featured heavily in the Premier League and Championship for the likes of Sunderland, West Brom and Stoke City.
At the time of his arrival, Wrexham had just won promotion out of the National League and were set to compete in League Two.
Landing a player of McClean’s quality was significant, and club chief Ker was left surprised by the transfer even potentially happening.
Speaking in Season 3, Episode 7 of Welcome to Wrexham, he said: “James McClean is an iconic figure.
“When his name was first mentioned to me, my eyebrows shot up that a player like that would be interested in coming to us.”
When does James McClean’s Wrexham contract expire
Two years on, McClean has made 99 appearances, scored eight goals and provided two assists.
His leadership qualities have shone through as well, with Phil Parkinson making the left-back the official club captain.
The 36-year-old’s contract at the Racecourse Ground was due to expire at the end of June 2026.
However, McClean signed a contract extension in August, which keeps him around until the end of 2026/27.
He said on signing: “I’m delighted to be extending my contract with the Club. It’s no secret that I’ve enjoyed my time here and I want to help continue the success we’ve had so far.
“My family love it here, I love it here and we’re excited for the future.”