Wrexham are planning for life in the Championship, but Phil Parkinson will head into the second tier without Paul Mullin.
The writing has been on the wall for Paul Mullin in 2025.
Wrexham’s goal machine and fan favourite has seen his role shrink in 2025, failing to make a single league appearance after the January transfer window.
Phil Parkinson decided to move in a different direction and leave Mullin kicking his heels in the stands.
Mullin celebrated Wrexham’s promotion, but everybody knew deep down that the striker would be leaving this summer.
Wigan Athletic have confirmed Mullin’s arrival with the striker penning a season-long loan deal with the League One side.
Phil Parkinson comments on Paul Mullin’s Wrexham exit
Some Wrexham fans may still hold out hope of Mullin coming back to the STōK Cae Ras next year and returning to Parkinson’s plans.
That, sadly, looks unlikely as Wrexham continue to aim for the Premier League.
The move at least allows Mullin to get back to playing regularly, having endured a deeply frustrating 2025 so far.
That is a sentiment shared by Parkinson himself, with the boss telling Wrexham’s official website that he thinks the move hands Mullin a ‘good opportunity’ to play a key role for Wigan.
Parkinson wished Mullin ‘all the best’ before predicting that the striker will prove himself to be a ‘great signing’ for the Latics this season.
“I’d like to wish Paul all the best for his loan move,” said Mullin.
“It’s a good opportunity for him to get back to playing regular first-team football and I’m sure he’s going to be a great signing for Wigan Athletic,” he added.
Paul Mullin will be desperate to prove himself in League One
Wrexham’s promotion from League Two seemingly handed Mullin a chance to finally prove himself at League One level.
Mullin had been Wrexham’s goalscoring sensation in the National League and League Two, so many expected another brilliant campaign in League One.
That didn’t quite happen, with Mullin struggling to find his form after back surgery and then slipping down the pecking order.
Now back in League One again, Mullin has a real point to prove.
Mullin’s first stint in League One saw him score just three goals in 20 games for Tranmere Rovers, sparking a loan move to Cambridge United.
Mullin fired Cambridge to promotion in 2021, but rather than continue the journey in League One, he dropped to the National League with Wrexham.
The 30-year-old will be desperate to prove that he belongs at League One level once and for all – and Wrexham fans will be cheering him on all the way.