Typically, when someone is named their club’s player of the season, the next logical step would not be a transfer to a team two divisions down the ladder.
But when that team is Wrexham, anything is possible.
On Friday, Wrexham announced the signing of veteran midfielder James McClean — who, as mentioned, is coming off a season in which he was named Wigan Athletic’s player of the year.
McClean, 34, is also still an active international for Republic of Ireland, having earned his 100th cap over the summer.
After impressing in the Championship (it should be noted that Wigan was relegated last year), McClean is moving to League Two with Wrexham after the club won promotion from the National League last term.
Welcome to Wrexham, James McClean!
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) August 4, 2023
Wrexham, of course, has gained global notoriety after actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the team in 2021 and made it the protagonist of the popular docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham.”
In an interview with Wrexham’s YouTube channel, McClean said the club’s growing profile was a major factor in his move.
“With everything surrounding this club at the moment, it’s a project that’s very exciting,” the longtime Premier League player said.
“The hype and excitement is clearly more now that the club’s back in the Football League. And I’m sure there’s ambitions here to go even further than this league. I’m a very passionate person, someone who’s very driven. And I want that as well. I want to be part of that and that’s obviously one of the main reasons for coming here.”
He added: “It’s a great story. … There’s just so much positivity that surrounds the club at the moment and it’s obviously a great thing. Like I said, the ambition is not to just stop here, but to keep going. And that’s obviously an exciting thing to be a part of.”
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