**Conor Coady Joins Wrexham in Ambitious £2m Deal as Club Sets Sights on Championship Success**
In a notable move stirring excitement across North Wales and beyond, Wrexham AFC have confirmed the signing of seasoned defender Conor Coady from Leicester City, in a deal valued at approximately £2 million. This acquisition is being hailed as a landmark achievement for the club, which has seen a meteoric rise under the high-profile ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The 32-year-old Coady, with nearly 200 Premier League appearances and ten England caps to his name, brings a wealth of top-tier experience to a Wrexham side preparing for its first campaign in the Championship in over four decades. The centre-back’s move is set to provide vital leadership and defensive solidity as the club seeks to cement its status in England’s highly competitive second tier.
Wrexham’s promotion last season marked a pivotal chapter in their storied history, further amplified by the global attention drawn by the much-loved Disney+ series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’. The club’s renaissance continues apace, with Coady becoming their seventh summer recruit, joining from a Leicester squad where first-team opportunities had become limited. With this transfer, Wrexham have demonstrated they are unafraid to compete for talent with clubs both home and abroad; it is understood that Scottish side Rangers were also interested in capturing Coady’s signature.
Reflecting on his move, Coady commented, “I’m absolutely thrilled to become part of this club. Having followed Wrexham’s extraordinary journey, I feel privileged to be joining at such a pivotal time. I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and helping the club continue its rise.” His arrival is widely seen as a clear signal of the club’s ambitions, and his experience at the heart of Wolves’ defence– where he captained the side to two top-seven finishes and a memorable European run – is expected to be invaluable.
Manager Phil Parkinson expressed his delight at the signing, noting, “Bringing Conor to Wrexham is a statement of intent. His knowledge of the game at the highest level will be an enormous asset as we look to establish ourselves in the Championship. We’ve worked hard throughout the summer to attract players of this calibre, and the supporters deserve this level of ambition.” Parkinson went on to highlight that he hopes to make further additions before the transfer window closes.
The signing of Coady follows other record-breaking moves for the club, including deals for Empoli’s Liberato Cacace and Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien— the latter potentially costing up to £5 million. Wrexham’s willingness to invest significantly underpins the owners’ stated goal of achieving Premier League football by 2027, a target deemed ambitious but increasingly plausible given the club’s momentum.
Off the pitch, the Wrexham story has become a global phenomenon, credited largely to the charismatic ownership duo and steady success chronicled for an international audience via their acclaimed documentary. This visibility has brought worldwide interest and burgeoning crowds, with fans from far beyond North Wales following the Red Dragons’ progress.
Though Coady’s arrival has dominated recent headlines, speculation continues that Wrexham could soon break their transfer record yet again. Reports have linked the club to a £7.5 million offer for Ipswich Town and Wales forward Nathan Broadhead, while Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore is also rumoured to be in their sights as Parkinson aims to complete his squad before their opening fixture against Southampton.
With anticipation building ahead of their Championship return, Wrexham are setting out their stall as a club with both the backing and the resolve to challenge the status quo. As one of the fastest-rising clubs in British football, the next chapter promises to be closely watched, both by local fans and the growing international community swept up by the Wrexham resurgence.