Jamie Vardy has openly praised Conor Coady after the defender’s switch from Leicester City to Wrexham, highlighting the strong bond between the two former Foxes. The transfer, reportedly worth £2 million, signifies Wrexham’s ambition as they make their long-awaited return to the Championship following a successful promotion campaign last season.
Coady’s journey at Leicester City was far from straightforward. The seasoned defender struggled with injury early in the 2023/24 campaign, forcing him to surrender his spot in the starting line-up to Jannik Vestergaard, who subsequently held onto the shirt for much of the season. Despite limited Premier League appearances, Coady was unable to help Leicester avoid a difficult season that ultimately ended with relegation.
Nonetheless, Coady appears to have left a commendable impression on both the club and his teammates. Jamie Vardy, the legendary Leicester striker who departed the King Power Stadium himself this summer after his contract expired, offered a heartfelt message to Coady. In response to the defender’s farewell note to Leicester supporters, Vardy commented: “All the best brother. What a player and person.” This display of camaraderie underscores the respect that Coady earned during his brief time at the club.
On social media, Coady voiced his appreciation to everyone associated with Leicester, thanking the club for allowing him the chance to wear the shirt and connect with the squad. He confessed that the past season tested all involved but wished the Foxes nothing but future success.
Speculation has circulated regarding Vardy’s own playing future, with some whispers suggesting Wrexham might attempt to lure the 38-year-old star to the Racecourse Ground. However, any concrete move appears unlikely at this stage. The club, owned by high-profile actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have thus far focused on revitalising the squad elsewhere, granting manager Phil Parkinson license to introduce six new faces as Wrexham seek to establish themselves at Championship level.
Wrexham’s business in the transfer market has been aggressive. Beside Coady, they have reportedly agreed another £2 million signing, this time pursuing Wales international forward Kieffer Moore from Sheffield United. Such transfers indicate the ownership’s determination to lay the foundations of success both on and off the field.
The Welsh side are not content to stop there. The club is also rumoured to be eyeing up a loan deal for Wolves’ Brazilian teenager Pedro Lima. Notably, Wolves beat Chelsea to secure the 19-year-old’s signature from Sport Recife, with the youngster eventually signing a five-year contract at Molineux. Now, Wrexham could provide Lima with regular first-team minutes as he adapts to English football, further reflecting their drive to unearth and develop promising talent.
Looking to the future, ex-Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie has tipped Wrexham as a club on the rise, suggesting it is merely a matter of time before they mount a genuine challenge for promotion to the Premier League. Dowie highlighted the club’s passionate fanbase and ambitious leadership, suggesting their trajectory is only moving in an upward direction. He believes, with Phil Parkinson at the helm and continued investment, Wrexham have every chance to challenge for top spots in the Championship this season, although a top-half finish would already represent solid progress.
With the eyes of the footballing world set to remain on Wrexham—bolstered by their Hollywood ownership—the club’s unique project continues to attract global attention. Their transfer activity and on-pitch developments will be closely scrutinised as they attempt to build not just for Championship survival, but for a sustained push towards English football’s top flight.
For now, while Jamie Vardy’s future involvement at Wrexham looks doubtful, it is evident that connections forged through footballing journeys endure. Both club and player alike will head into the coming season with optimism—and the warm backing of fans from around the country.