Wrexham have completed a second signing of the summer transfer window having snapped up defender Lewis Brunt from Mansfield Town.
Phil Parkinson is busy trying to put a squad together for the upcoming League One campaign after winning back-to-back promotions.
Wrexham were able top pull off a huge coup by signing goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo on a free transfer from Arsenal in June.
Okonkwo was outstanding on loan at Wrexham last season and his permanent return to the club is a major coup.
That was an ideal first signing for Wrexham this summer and fans have been patiently waiting for signing number two.
Well, that deal has now materialised with Wrexham confirming the signing of Leicester City centre back Lewis Brunt for an undisclosed fee.
Lewis Brunt was Mansfield Town’s ‘number one target’
Brunt hails from Birmingham and started out in the Aston Villa youth ranks.
After loan spells with Gloucester City, Brunt joined Leicester City in 2021 but only managed four first-team appearances for the Foxes.
Leicester sent Brunt on loan to Mansfield Town last season and that is where he really impressed.
Brunt played a key role under Nigel Clough and helped the Stags win promotion to League One alongside Wrexham.
Mansfield have been hoping to sign Brunt permanently this summer having been so impressed with him last term.
Clough admitted to BBC Sport in June that Mansfield had tabled a permanent bid for Brunt, but Leicester had rejected the offer.
Clough added that Brunt remained the ‘number one target’ for Mansfield but the valuation may have been beyond them.
“Negotiations are ongoing,” said Clough. “We put a bid in that was rejected. We might be too far apart in terms of their valuation and what we can pay, unfortunately. But we are certainly not ruling it out and he remains our number one target.”
The nightmare situation has now materialised for Mansfield; Brunt is not only heading elsewhere, but joining a direct rival in League One.
Wrexham have managed to pull off a superb hijack and Brunt will now call the STōK Cae Ras home.
A versatile defender, Brunt can play as a centre back, right back, wing back and even as a defensive midfielder if needed.
A talent with potential for the future who can provide valuable versatility at the back, Brunt is just what Wrexham were seeking this summer.
Wrexham fans will absolutely love snatching Brunt away from Mansfield and Phil Parkinson was clearly impressed with what he saw from the defender during last season’s promotion race.