Wrexham pull off yet another ‘incredible’ signing of a League One player for a six-figure fee, leaving fans stunned on Monday night.
The Welsh outfit have broken their transfer record to sign striker Ollie Palmer from AFC Wimbledon, with the 30 year old dropping down two tiers.
The fee, £300,000, is the biggest transfer fee Wrexham have paid out under the ownership of Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
SIGNED | Wrexham Complete the Signing of Ollie Palmer from AFC Wimbledon
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) January 24, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Wrexham AFC are delighted to confirm the signing of striker Ollie Palmer from AFC Wimbledon for a club record but undisclosed fee, subject to stakeholder approval and international clearance.
The striker has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Racecourse Ground, through to June 2025.
The 30-year-old is our first signing of the transfer window and we have submitted the paperwork with the view to him being available for Tuesday night’s home game against Grimsby.
And on signing for Wrexham, Palmer said: “I’m excited. It’s a brand new opportunity for me and something I really wanted to be involved with so I’m looking forward to it.
“I had a good conversation with the gaffer here, and he really sold it to me. The passion around the town for the Football Club; it’s obviously one of the oldest Football Clubs around and it’s just about getting them back to where they want to be.
“We have some really famous co-chairmen, and they have already done some amazing things with the Football Club. It’s just a really good opportunity for me – something to get my teeth into, something new.
“Phil Parkinson explained everything to me, and it was something that got me really excited.”
Standing 6ft 5in tall, the striker – who has scored eight times for the Dons this season and leads their goalscoring charts – spent time on loan with the Mariners in the National League in 2015.
He has also played for Woking, Havant & Waterlooville, Mansfield, Leyton Orient, Luton, Lincoln and Crawley, scoring 111 league goals in 402 career appearances.
Manager Phil Parkinson said of the signing: “I’m absolutely delighted. Ollie was a player we wanted right from the offset.
“These things take time, and they can be difficult, but credit to Rob and Ryan for sanctioning the deal and to everyone else involved in getting the deal over the line, because when you’re attracting a player from a higher league, the deals are never easy. I’m absolutely delighted we’ve finalised the signing.
“He gives us presence, but he’s also got quality and that was important for us – we want good footballers. He’s got good technical ability, he’s a good character and he’ll be an excellent addition to the squad.”
📣 We can confirm that an offer of £300,000 has been accepted for Ollie Palmer to join Wrexham. We wish Ollie all the best for the future: https://t.co/itwdgW9RAU #AFCW
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 24, 2022
Wimbledon Chief Executive Joe Palmer said: “Wrexham offered a substantial fee for Ollie – and also made him an irresistible personal offer.
“In the end, though, it was entirely Ollie’s decision to leave. We couldn’t have offered him anywhere near what he was being offered and the last thing we wanted to do was force him to stay against his will. That wouldn’t have been in anyone’s best interests.”
In an emotional message to his former Dons teammates, Ollie said: “I just want to say a massive thank-you to each and every one of you.
“You’ve helped me grow as person and been a second family to me. I got to say a few goodbyes this morning and obviously in the players’ group chat.
“I wish you nothing but the absolute best this season, what a club to play for, and thank you for everything.”
Head Coach Mark Robinson also added his own thanks to the 6ft 5ins striker, saying: “As a coach, seeing a 30-year-old grow and develop as a player and a person was hugely satisfying.
“I am obviously really disappointed Ollie has gone, but I can only wish him the very best as he bought into everything we did and had a big impact for us.”
Discussions on finding a replacement for Ollie are now ongoing. We only recently welcomed the arrival of striker Terry Ablade from Fulham – but the transfer windows remains open.
“The football panel are working through potential targets at the moment and we will look to provide Robbo with another option as soon as we can,” added Joe.
Twitter users reacted as Wrexham pull off the ‘incredible’ signing of League One player Ollie Palmer for a six-figure fee…
@TheWelshDragon9: Oil money Wrecsam are coming for your players.
@WesleighWainwr2: Wow you guys are certainly splashing the cash. You’ve more money than 60% of championship clubs this year. Best of luck.
@BrooklynDon6: A big loss for sure. We’ll only know whether it’s good business depending upon who we sign to replace Ollie (bearing in mind that big, skillful centre forwards are few in number) and how the team performs from here on in. Let’s hope a good replacement is lined up.
@RyanMcGinty02: Good fee, needs to be spent wisely.
@PaulCarrott3: I like Ollie… but £300k. Wow.
@_AGSM5: 300 racks, i’ll take that all day
@ClarkeRhodie: Can’t even knock them can you. If you have got the cash to do it then why not. This is what town are competing against though don’t stand a chance
@ffsWrexham: Phwoar front two of Mullin and Palmer, bring it on.
@KyleTalbot7: Ridiculous, roll on spending cap
@niajones06: OH PARKY DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S WORTH,OLLIE PALMER IS THE BEST ON EARTH 😍
@LozMitchell_: Mullin’s gonna score 50 a season off his flick ons. But he’ll be doing it in the conference, unless we sign a midfielder
@capaled: COME ON!! Good signing this if we get a midfielder also then this will be a decent transfer window
@edward_w97: It isn’t ideal for AFC Wimbledon to lose Ollie Palmer when the squad looks in need of reinforcements anyway, but if you’re getting £300K for a 30yo then it makes perfect sense for him to go.
@MichaelGeal94: Wrexham are too rich! Imagine Ollie palmer had jumped down 2 leagues to play for them, wages must be mad
@WrexhamCanada: Driving through a snowstorm signing “Ollie Palmer is a Red” so I’ve got that going for me. #WxmAFC
@WillClayton08: Ohhh parky do you know what that’s worth, Ollie Palmer is the best on earth. A lanky striker is all that we need, taking Wrexham to the football league! #wxmafc you Shaggin reds!!!!
@DN35GTFC: £300,000 for Ollie Palmer?! This league is batshit crazy. No wonder we can’t find a striker when you have Palmer going for the same as Lee Ashcroft. #GTFC
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