Wrexham’s first summer signing has now been confirmed after striker Ryan Hardie completed his move from Plymouth Argyle.
Wrexham said goodbye to one Scottish striker in May as Steven Fletcher announced his departure from the STōK Cae Ras.
That departure was something of a surprise, given that Fletcher had made a big impact off the bench in League One.
Phil Parkinson has now completed his first signing of the summer and, sure enough, it’s a Scottish striker arriving at the STōK Cae Ras.
Ryan Hardie has completed his move to Wrexham, with the Plymouth Argyle forward penning a three-year deal.
Hardie arrives having scored 10 Championship goals last season, providing a major boost to Parkinson’s attacking options.
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Wrexham fee for Ryan Hardie emerges
Wrexham fans have waited patiently for a first summer signing, all while watching other Championship clubs strike deals.
There was never going to be any panic for Parkinson, though, with the Wrexham boss keen to get the right deals rather than the quickest ones.
In the case of Hardie, Wrexham appear to have struck an absolute bargain.
Sky Sports report that Wrexham are paying just £700,000 to sign Hardie, thanks to a release clause in his contract.
Hardie’s release clause was around £2million when Wrexham showed an interest in the striker during the January transfer window.
Argyle then suffered relegation to League One, meaning Hardie’s release clause was slashed to around £700,000.
Wrexham have pounced, paying around a third of the £2million spent on Sam Smith during the January window.
Proven Championship strikers rarely cost just £700,000 and Wrexham appear to have struck a brilliant deal for Hardie’s signature.
Wrexham gazump Plymouth’s offer to Ryan Hardie
As with any deal, it isn’t just about the transfer fee paid, but also the wages over the course of the contract.
The Plymouth Herald report that Plymouth actually came up with a new contract for Hardie in an attempt to keep him in Devon.
However, Wrexham are understood to have gazumped that offer and handed Hardie even better terms.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds may not have stumped up a huge fee to sign Hardie, but have made sure the Wrexham wage offer is the best on the table.
Hardie has spent five-and-a-half years with Argyle and committing to fresh terms would have been appealing, even after relegation.
Wrexham have managed to get the deal done, with Hardie now ready to try something new in North Wales.