Wrexham sign 28 year old former Premier League midfielder Anthony Forde to boost to their promotion hopes ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The versatile Irishman, who joins the National League outfit for an undisclosed fee, came through the Wolves academy system and made his top flight debut against Chelsea in November 2011.
During the 2013–14 season, Forde made only five appearances (four as substitute) as Wolves won promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt.
When with Rotherham United, he also was part of the side that guided the club to the League One playoffs in 2018.
He has gradually dropped down the leagues, and prior to signing for Wrexham, had been at Oxford United, helping them to three top eight finishes in League One in the last three seasons, one of which getting to the playoff final in 2020, losing to Wycombe.
We’re delighted to confirm the signing of Anthony Forde from League One side Oxford United, on a two-year deal!
More: https://t.co/6IUekRd6H1#WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/DASjqWRs0i
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) July 28, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Wrexham AFC are delighted to confirm the signing of Anthony Forde from League One side Oxford United, on a two-year deal.
The versatile Irishman, who joins Wrexham for an undisclosed fee, came through the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy system and made his Premier League debut against Chelsea in November 2011.
Forde was loaned to Scunthorpe United in 2013 and later helped Wolves secure promotion to the Championship on his return, before signing for Walsall, where he spent two seasons.
The 28-year-old signed a three-year deal at Championship side Rotherham United in 2016 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the Millers, including the League One Play-Off Final in 2018.
He has spent the last three seasons at Oxford United and is a welcome addition to Phil Parkinson’s squad ahead of the 2022/23 Vanarama National League campaign, becoming Wrexham’s fourth summer signing after Jordan Tunnicliffe, Mark Howard and Elliot Lee.
Speaking upon his arrival, Forde said: “I’m absolutely delighted; it’s really exciting and I can’t wait to get going. I know about the history of the Club and think there are exciting times ahead.
“First and foremost, I’ll give 100 per cent. Hopefully I can get some assists and a few goals, and create a lot of chances for the team.”
WREXHAM SQUAD
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | GK |  WAL |
Christian Dibble |
| — | GK |  ENG |
Mark Howard |
| — | GK | ENG |
Rob Lainton |
| — | DF | WAL |
Ryan Austin |
| — | DF | ENG |
Max Cleworth |
| — | DF | WAL |
Daniel Davies |
| — | DF |  IRL |
Anthony Forde |
| — | DF | ENG |
Reece Hall-Johnson |
| — | DF | ENG |
Aaron Hayden |
| — | DF | ENG |
Bryce Hosannah |
| — | DF | ENG |
Aaron James |
| — | DF | ENG |
Harry Lennon |
| — | DF |  SCO |
Callum McFadzean |
| — | DF | ENG |
Ben Tozer |
| — | DF | ENG |
Jordan Tunnicliffe |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | MF | WAL |
Jordan Davies |
| — | MF | WAL |
Kai Evans |
| — | MF | ENG |
Tom Jenkins |
| — | MF | SCO |
James Jones |
| — | MF | ENG |
Will Mountfield |
| — | MF | IRL |
Thomas O’Connor |
| — | MF | ENG |
Luke Young (captain) |
| — | FW | ENG |
Dior Angus |
| — | FW | ENG |
Jake Bickerstaff |
| — | FW | ENG |
Jake Hyde |
| — | FW | WAL |
Daniel Jones |
| — | FW | ENG |
Elliot Lee |
| — | FW | IRL |
Liam McAlinden |
| — | FW | ENG |
Paul Mullin |
| — | FW | ENG |
Ollie Palmer |
Wrexham AFC manager Parkinson added: “We’re really pleased to get the deal done and to have Anthony here at the Club.
“He’s played a lot of his football at Championship level, so it’s a really strong signing for us.”
Forde was pictured wearing the Club’s new home shirt for 2022/23 as part of the announcement. The shirt is available both in store and online, here.
All at Wrexham AFC would like to extend a warm welcome to Anthony and his family.
FORDE’S CAREER
Youth career
1998–2006 – Ballingarry AFC
2006–2008 – Kingdom Boys
2009–2011 – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career
2011–2014 – Wolverhampton Wanderers – 21 games (0 goals)
2013 → Scunthorpe United (loan) – 8 games (0 goals)
2014–2016 – Walsall – 78 games (7 goals)
2016–2019 – Rotherham United – 101 games (5 goals)
2019–2022 – Oxford United – 66 games (3 goals)
2022– Wrexham
National team
2011–2013 – Republic of Ireland U19 – 13 games (2 goals)
2012–2014 – Republic of Ireland U21 – 11 games (2 goals)
Fans reacted as Wrexham sign the 28 year old former Premier League midfielder…
@wrexhamcarl: Yes – best signing since the tesco dragon!
@owenmaynard8: Generally not a bad player will smash it for you lot
@WxMMorgan: Brilliant signing 👏🏼
@hraarmstrong: Very versatile and puts in an ok dead ball. No real thrills or pace about him though. Amazed we’ve got a fee for him but should do a decent job in non-league 👍
@olly_plevin: All this just to bottle again
@aiculk1: Versatile player down the right very happy with that
@LukeBurgess999: Good player will be quality for you
@JoshMcCluskey8: Going to look a belter when you bottle the league again 😮💨😍
@GeorgeHogg93: Fordey can play anywhere in defence or midfield, but he is mainly a right-back. He has had 3 good years with us at Oxford; I bet you’ll like him 💛💙 Anthony is a solid player when he plays 👍
@OUFC_Goose: He’s mainly a winger/centre mid, who we had to play at right back!
@nicksfoodblog: Really good signing this 👏
@deanrogers25: Excellent addition to the squad exactly where we needed a bit more depth. Real experience at a higher level too. #UpTheTown With the kids in place we may be done. Maybe one more midfield cover.
@ShoniMorris: Welcome to the greatest club in the world ❤️🤍
@Footiespr5687: Good player at Walsall in his spell here think deserved a move
@EuanCarter24: Gone for the money, why else would you drop to the national league from two divisions above.
@garrybutter: Wonder why he dropped from league 1 to nonleague…. mmmm could it be for the wages
@WAFCTomX: where the fuck has this come from! welcome anthony you beautiful bastard
@MagicMcGuane: take care of him, he’ll be very solid for yous, can do a decent job at RB but can play on the wing too. slightly inconsistent tho
@Jake__Kimberley: Thats a brilliant signing.
@Rhys16561349: money fc at it again just to bottle it
@richparker87: Superb signing!! @EFL_LeagueTwo here we come!! #upthetown
@RYANscollard25: Signing all these high league players for them to bottle promotion again next season 😂🤣 what a wanky club
@Joshhjones_98: If we don’t go up this season we deserve to be in this pit of a league forever
@Paskins_tache: Got the potential to grow a decent beard too….. fits in perfectly.
@TheSomZons: I’m getting rid of TikTok now.
@joe_wxm: As I’ve said before, we need to fold if we don’t win the league this season
@huwtroberts: We’re going up as Champions aren’t we?!?!
@RichWXM: Presumably that’s RWB covered. Welcome aboard!
@james_harpin: We get it, you can sign league one players. Can you fuck off now 😂
@maxweinbergbfc: If they don’t go up undefeated with 100+ points they need to fold
@williamsdylan00: Hell of a team this
@RedAndWhiteJake: We’re on our way, we’re on our way
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