Wrexham exploring transfer Ryan Reynolds would love after rule change helps them
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has admitted the club are “looking” at the possibility of signing their first American player after rules on transfers changed.
The Welsh club have captured the imagination in the United States thanks to their rise under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ has become a huge hit and fans flocked to see the Red Dragons in their pre-season opener against Chelsea in North Carolina.
That wave of interest has sparked plenty of discussion about when an American player could head to the Racecourse Ground. That very question was recently put to manager Phil Parkinson, with the footnote that co-owners Reynolds and McElhenney would likely love to see an American playing for the club given the inevitable marketing buzz it would generate in the country.
Speaking on the Men In Blazers podcast, Parkinson responded: ”The rules I’ve changed, I don’t know if you’re aware of that, over the last month so there is more flexibility. We have been looking and if someone becomes available, I’m sure we’ll make a move.”
The Football Association confirmed just last month that it had come up with a new “football solution” to come into effect this transfer window and combat new work permit regulations since the United Kingdom left the European Union.
Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video
As a result, clubs in League Two such as Wrexham are able to sign up to two overseas players per season who do not meet the regular Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria approved by the Home Office.
That would open the door to Wrexham to bring in two players from further afield - such as from the United States - far easier than would have previously been possible. Parkinson’s comments suggest such a move could happen if they find the right player.
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Wrexham are exploring the prospect of signing their first American player since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over (Getty Images)The club did venture into North America shortly after the arrival of Reynolds and McElhenney. In October 2021, they announced that Canada international Charlie Trafford had signed a short-term contract after a successful trial.
However, the midfielder left the club in January 2022 having failed to make a first-team appearance when his deal expired.
Trafford later told the Calgary Sun: “It was pretty crazy and surreal timing for me,”I had this move to Calgary kind of earmarked for January. And so last summer, when it came to my last season in Europe, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was gonna do, because I wanted to stick around Europe from August until January.
“So this move to Wrexham came up on like a short-term deal just until the end of January. So it made a lot of sense to just go do something kind of different.”
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