Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has described the signing of Manchester City defender Callum Doyle as a “show of ambition” from the Sky Bet Championship debutants.
It has been a busy summer transfer period for the Red Dragons, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mack preparing for their first season back in the English second tier after a 40-year absence.
The deal for Doyle, which PA understands cost the club £7.5m, is the club's 10th full-scale signing since promotion, having previously set a club record by paying £10m for striker Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich.
The 21-year-old has signed a contract until 2029 with an option to buy back to City and a 25% interest on any future resale.
“We have been monitoring Callum specifically throughout the transfer window,” Parkinson commented.
“The negotiations were complicated by the high demand for the player. To sign him, we had to beat several reputable clubs.”
“At 21, he already has a wealth of Championship experience and has been called up to the England youth team. His potential is hard to overstate.”
“This amount does not exceed our transfer record, but is in line with the club's financial strategy in the current window.”
“The successful completion of this transaction, despite competition from experienced Championship clubs, former Premier League clubs and European teams, clearly demonstrates our seriousness in our intentions.”
The City academy product has previously played on loan for Sunderland, Coventry, Leicester and Norwich.
The Championship veteran and England Under-21 international will make his debut for his new side against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
“Breaking into the first team at Man City is a huge challenge,” said Parkinson. “Callum has reached a stage where he needs to establish himself at the club after a series of loans and become part of a larger project.”
“We have been communicating actively over the last few days, and I am pleased to introduce him to the team.
“Today was the first joint training session. He will need time to adapt, given the busy schedule, but long-term cooperation lies ahead.”
Wrexham, looking to end a 43-year winless run in the second tier, could continue to strengthen their squad, with Parkinson saying they plan to “take stock of their transfer work” in the coming days.
After defeats to Southampton (1:2) and West Bromwich (2:3), the Welsh team will have a home match with Sheffield Wednesday, who are going through a difficult period.
Speaking about the problems of the opponent, the Wrexham coach, who has experience of working with Bolton during times of crisis, expressed hope for a quick recovery of the club.
“Every club is part of the social fabric and we empathise with their fans,” Parkinson said.
Sheffield Wednesday are the pride of the city, whose rivalry with local club United has become legendary.
“The football community understands that every year some teams face difficulties. Supporting such clubs is important for the entire sports world.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
