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James McClean surprised fans sealing move to League Two newcomers Wrexham

James McClean has surprised fans by sealing a move to League Two newcomers Wrexham, the player confirmed in a statement.

The independent.ie first stated that the 34 year old was ‘close’ to a switch from Wigan to the Hollywood owner club, with actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney looking to try and help the Welsh outfit get back-to-back promotions.

The report mentioned how McClean is much loved at the Latics and has been involved in their preparations for the new season, after they suffered relegation from the Championship and had issues with player payments.

But now Wrexham have put in an offer to bring him in, but would have to pay a six-figure sum to snatch him from Wigan, with the two sides facing each other in the Carabao Cup First Round on Tuesday.

Now this has been confirmed.

WREXHAM STATEMENT:

Wrexham AFC are delighted to confirm the signing of Republic of Ireland international James McClean for an undisclosed fee from Wigan Athletic.

Versatile midfielder McClean, 34, who this summer earned his 100th international cap, has signed a one-season contract at the STōK Cae Ras, with the option of an extension.

The Irishman will link up with the squad next week, and will not be available for Saturday’s match against MK Dons.

On signing, he said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Wrexham. It’s a project that is very exciting and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.

“The Club has ambitions to go even further, and I’m a very ambitious person. I’m someone who is driven and I want to be a part of that journey.”

The Derry-born wide man started his career with Institute and then spent three years with Derry City before making his move into English football with Sunderland in 2011.

After two seasons in the top flight, he moved to Wigan in 2013 – spending two seasons with The Latics – before returning to the top flight when he joined West Bromwich Albion in 2015.

He made more than 100 appearances across three seasons with the Baggies, before a three-year spell with Stoke City, and then returned to Wigan in 2021.

He helped them to promotion from EFL League One in his first season, and then was an ever-present in the EFL Championship in the 2022/23 campaign.

His two-year second spell with Wigan took him beyond 550 domestic career appearances – scoring 69 goals – while he has netted 11 times in his 100 international appearances too.

On his signing, Wrexham AFC manager Phil Parkinson said: “I’m really pleased with the signing of someone with the calibre of James.

“As I said in the summer, it’s about being patient and getting the players in who can be strong additions to our squad moving forward.”

WIGAN STATEMENT:

The Club wanted to retain McClean, who had 12 months left on his current deal, but were unable to agree new terms.

McClean, 34, made over 170 appearances across two spells at the DW Stadium, first making his debut for the Club in August 2013 in a Community Shield game against Manchester United at Wembley.

Following his return to the Club, he helped Latics lift the League One title in 2021/22, scoring memorable goals against Bolton Wanderers, AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion in that season.

Although the Club is naturally disappointed to lose a player of James’ experience and quality on the eve of the 2023/24 Sky Bet League One campaign, he departs with our best wishes and we thank him for all of his efforts in a Latics shirt.

MCCLEAN STATEMENT:

“Anybody that knows me will know that this is a football club that I deeply care about and when I say that its not just words.

“I would like to thank Leam Richardson for giving me the opportunity to be able to come back, everyone connected with the club, staff, players and the fans have treated me and my family as one of their own from the day and hour I first joined the club in August 2013. My son is football obsessed and Wigan is his first club that he was of an age to fully understand football and as a result of that he is now Wigan’s biggest fan. This club will always hold a special place within my family.

“During my entire time wearing a Wigan jersey it is safe to say it’s been eventful, but through the good moments, the bad moments and the crazy moments, the club and the people have stuck together through it all and met every challenge head on. You don’t keep Wigan Athletic Football Club down for long – it’s not in the DNA of this club.

“It’s sad that I wont get to pull on the jersey again whilst stepping on to the pitch to represent the club, but I hope you know each and every single time I had the privilege to do so that I gave every ounce of myself.

“To finish I wish the club the very best possible. Shaun, who is a brilliant man and a great coach, will hopefully bring success back to the club. Thank you to the staff, the coaches, the kitmen, the cleaners and to the players who are a great group. Thank you also to you the fans who have been brilliant in backing the club as always.

“You know how it goes. Once a tic, always a tic.”

James McClean started his career with Trojans, Institute, his hometown club Derry City, and Sunderland before he joined Wigan Athletic in August 2013 and endured a two season stay at Wigan.

is performances earned him a player of the year award in the latter, and then sealed a return to the Premier League by joining West Brom in June 2015, staying for three seasons with Stoke City the next club he signed for in July 2018.

McClean re-signed for Wigan in August 2021 and stayed with them to the present day, however, a move to Wrexham is now on the cards.

McClean, who is Derry born, played for the Northern Ireland national under-21 football team, but declined a call-up to the senior squad because he wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland.

In February 2012, he received international clearance from FIFA which allowed him to play for the Republic of Ireland, making his debut against the Czech Republic in the same month.

He has since represented the nation at 2012 and 2016 Euro Championships.

James McClean, has been dubbed the footballer who suffers ‘more abuse than any other in England’.

Since his Premier League introduction in 2012, he has been both condemned and supported for his ongoing refusal to wear shirts bearing the symbol of the remembrance poppy when playing games on or around Remembrance Day (the 11th of November) or Remembrance Sunday (the nearest Sunday).

McClean says he refuses to do so due to his affinity with Derry and to the role of the British Army in The Troubles.

He grew up on the Creggan estate, with is where six of the men shot dead on Bloody Sunday in 1972 came from.

He adds that he would wear the poppy if it were restricted to honouring only soldiers who died in the World Wars, many of whom, particularly during World War I, were Irish, and has insisted his position is one of peace, and not any kind of wider political, religious or anti-British point.

The Legion opposes compelling people to wear the poppy, seeing such a stance as going against everything the poppy symbolises.

Due to his objection, McClean regularly gets jeered by supporters of opposition clubs. After the first refusal, McClean was subjected to sectarian abuse and loyalist threats, including death threats. Clubs can now be punished for abuse aimed a McClean.

This is what Twitter users are saying as James McClean surprised fans sealing a move to League Two newcomers Wrexham…

@TomHall95211723: Really wish he stayed and got to be captain and got a proper send off at the end of the season

@DannyAinscough7: Gutting bad never seen a player work his bollocks off more. May be 34 but he’s a gigantic miss for the new season. Great bloke though did everything he could in a latics shirt

@DanWAFC03: 6 figure fee and £10k off the wage bill. I love the bloke so much but that’s too good to refuse

@SeanEvans04: Impossible to turn down the money being spoke about, but also very sad. #wafc

@Jacko232_: Timing could have been better but great move for all parties, that. Hopefully that forces us into the market for a left back now as Pearce isn’t the answer. #wafc

@DavidJa16956153: Timing is horrific but it’s a good move for all involved. Won’t have to up sticks with the family, better contract length, club get a fee and another big wage off the bill. All the best James.

@JohnB887: Seems like a quality player but his age shows he isn’t a long-term solution and wouldn’t “follow us through the leagues”. 1-2 year deal, look for a replacement next year?

@JGEllinson: I’m sure I’m in the minority, but this just doesn’t WOW me. Is he looking for a final payday? Very much depends on the deal on offer, 1yr with a club option – fine, a longer deal with a player option, I’m not sure is good business. Happy to be proved wrong as always.

@Tezreds99_: I wouldn’t be disappointed, but happier if we signed another striker

@DamienTobin3: He’s horrible to play against. 100% commitment every game. Huge signing if true. Quality player

@dezroberts1: Only political people will be unhappy. Bags of experience, still offers loads & will be a quality bit of competition for Mendy too!

@FinnODriscoll6: Superb addition. 👍🏻 Experience, power, skill, commitment and a top guy also. 👏🏼

@DonWAFC2: He will piss that league, if any of your fans don’t agree with him trust me, you’ll change your opinions on him very quickly after watching him play

@WrexhamATX: I’m new to this, but seems like exactly the type of player we need. Great fitness by all accounts. Hard worker. Wealth of experience. 27 goal contributions between Champ and L1 last two seasons. Phenomenal signing based on the little I know.

@CraigFarrimond: You best look after James McClean @BenFoster 💔

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