Wrexham have made some hugely important signings under Phil Parkinson, but Malik Dijksteel is one name who perhaps slipped under the radar.
The impact of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover has been huge, with Wrexham now less than two weeks away from the start of the Championship season.
Second-tier football was a mere dream for Wrexham fans a few years ago, but Phil Parkinson’s side open up against Southampton on August 9.
The Hollywood buzz has been a huge factor in this rise, but Parkinson has nailed his recruitment with key signings at every level.
The likes of Ben Tozer, Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee and James McClean will go down as heroes from Wrexham’s rise, with all of them snapped up by Parkinson.
Wrexham’s hit rate in the transfer market has been strong, but some additions don’t quite work out, such as Billy Waters and Luke Bolton.
- READ MORE: Wrexham’s confirmed transfers in 2025 summer window, incomings, outgoings and latest rumours
Former Wrexham signing Malik Dijksteel on the rise
Some Wrexham fans may not even remember the signing of Malik Dijksteel in 2023.
The former Feyenoord talent had been let go by Middlesbrough in 2022 and did enough at Whitby Town to draw interest from Wrexham.
Winger Dijksteel joined Wrexham on a short-term contract in 2023, with Parkinson keen to give him a chance in the reserves.
“Malik is a young player who will join up with our reserves squad, so we can take a closer look at him over the remaining games this season,” said Parkinson, as quoted by The Leader.
“It allows us to boost the reserves squad over the coming weeks, and also gives Malik the chance to showcase what he can offer,” he added
The end of the season came, and Dijksteel departed Wrexham without making a first-team appearance, then heading off to join Irish side Cork City.
Now 24, Dijksteel has bagged five goals and four assists for Cork City and has secured himself a move for 2026.
St Mirren have confirmed the signing of Dijksteel on a pre-contract agreement, meaning he will arrive when his Cork City contract expires at the end of 2025.
That means Dijksteel has gone from playing in Wrexham’s reserves to gearing up for battle against Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
St Mirren boss excited by Malik Dijksteel
Dijksteel faces a step up in quality from the League of Ireland to the Scottish Premiership, and it’s certainly a step up from his stint with Wrexham’s reserves just over two years ago.
The Dutchman certainly appears to have kicked on a level or two since leaving Wrexham, and his move has sparked some excitement.
Speaking on St Mirren’s official website, manager Stephen Robinson admitted that he has been tracking Dijksteel for a while now.
Robinson added that Dijksteel is a ‘real bright spark’ and praised him as an ‘exciting’ player who will get fans off their seats.
“Malik is a player that we have kept tabs on over the last six months,” said Robinson.
“He’s a real bright spark in the final third. He’s quick, direct, takes players on and I think the fans will really take to him given how exciting he is,” he added.
Dijksteel wasn’t part of the Wrexham journey for long, but he has certainly bounced back from being released and will hope to prove his quality with his move to Scotland.