Former Man Utd academy star heads to Wrexham as Ryan Reynolds-owned Dragons complete double deal

Wrexham have signed a former Manchester United academy talent and an Iceland international striker as they bid to hold on to new promotion.

The Red Dragons, who are jointly owned by film and TV stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have won back-to-back promotions and are currently second in League One as they set their sights on the next championship.

Phil Parkinson’s side are going well but have been hit by an injury crisis which has seen several key players sidelined.

However, they responded to those woes by landing former United academy star Matty James and Iceland striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.

Both have moved to the Racecourse Ground on short-term deals until January and James could make his Wrexham debut for Charlton on Saturday after being named on the bench for that game.

“I’d like to welcome Jon and Matty to the club,” said Parkinson, who is in charge of Wrexham from 2021.

“With injuries to George Evans, Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher, it was important to bring them in and we’re looking forward to working with them both.”

James, Bodvarsson was delighted to get the chance at Wrexham

Former England Under-20 midfielder James spent three years at Manchester United’s academy before signing his first professional contract in 2009.

Although he never played for United and was sold to Leicester City in 2012, James was an unused substitute under Old Trafford legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 33-year-old has made over 100 appearances for Leicester and his most recent club Bristol City, but was released by the Robins at the end of last season. He also had loan spells at Preston, Barnsley and Coventry during his career.

Speaking about his move to Wrexham, James said: “It’s great to be given the opportunity to play again and join a club that is moving in a direction that everyone is watching.

“I’m over the moon and can’t wait to get started. It was a strange process for me, not to be in a routine.

“I’ve been training at Leicester, which I’m grateful for, but to be back in the male environment here with the lads – they’re a fantastic bunch of lads and I’ve loved every minute of it so far.

“I want to enjoy playing football again, try to help – be around the group and whatever the gaffer wants me to do, I’ll do.

“I want to develop in terms of fitness and game time – and there are a lot of games coming up so I want to get some minutes and go from there.

Bodvarsson, meanwhile, was most recently at Bolton Wanderers but has also played for Millwall, Reading and Wolves.

“It’s great to be at a club like Wrexham,” admitted the 32-year-old. “Everyone knows the history by now and it’s just a very exciting club to be a part of.

“I’m delighted to be here and I hope I can help the club achieve further success. It’s good to be back in the dressing room. I really missed it – I think my wife went crazy!

“I’ve been training and trying to keep fit, but it’s good to be back in the environment and working on getting my sharpness back.

“The manager and the coaches have been really good to me, getting straight back to it.

“It’s about finding myself in the next few months. I want to get my confidence back for myself, work hard for the club and see where it takes me.”

Latest Wrexham news: Ronaldo signs ‘impossible shot’

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been the reason they can one day bring world football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to the Hippodrome after former Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas told them ‘nothing is impossible’ .

The Welsh side have gone on a remarkable journey back up the football pyramid since the Hollywood superstars took over the club in November 2020, sealing successive promotions from the National League back to League One, where they currently sit second with six wins and two . draws from the 10 matches played so far.

With everything Reynolds and McElhenney touch seemingly turning to gold at Wrexham, supporters are dreaming big and wondering how far their ambitious owners can take them.

And while it’s very much one step at a time, former France international defender Gallas has hinted that there will come a time in the future when he can see Ronaldo enjoy career swansong in north Wales.

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