Star midfielder Elliot Lee, who had scored his 16th goal of the season the day before in a 6-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers that secured promotion, was one of those featured.
Arthur Okonkwo, an Arsenal loanee goalkeeper, was also selected for the starting lineup despite recording 13 league clean sheets this year.
Following Ben Foster’s unexpected decision to retire once more in September, the 22-year-old has made an impression for the Red Dragons. This season hasn’t gone well for Foster at first.
The Sun claims that after the goalkeeper’s contract with the Gunners expires in May, the team may make a permanent move for him.
According to reports, Okonkwo’s parent club has not extended any new terms, giving the Hollywood-owned organization hope that they can sign him.
It also seems like his teammates are eager for him to join on a permanent basis, based on the comments left on a recent Instagram photo he posted commemorating Wrexham’s promotion to League One.
Okonkwo urged to ‘sign da ting’ by colleagues
Following the confirmation of their promotion against Forest Green, Okonkwo posted a photo of the team at the Racecourse on social media.
“What a day! “was the caption that went with it. What a group. The town is expanding!”
James McClean, a former Republic of Ireland international, was among his teammates who quickly offered their opinions, saying things like “Sign the contract big boy”.
Ryan Barnett, a right wing-back, just pleaded with the goalkeeper to “Sign da ting” in the second half of Saturday’s match. Barnett scored a thunderous effort throughout the game.
A number of Wrexham fans echoed their sentiments, as Okonkwo has shown huge potential to follow the club up the leagues.
Keeper’s future at Wrexham uncertain in short-term
The desire for Okonkwo to permanently join Parkinson’s team is undoubtedly present, but it’s unclear how likely it is that he will sign.
The keeper will temporarily rejoin Arsenal after Wrexham’s season concludes later this month.
The Premier League club is said to have paid the majority of his salary this season, with the North Wales team covering less than half of it, according to The Sun.
Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham, the team has scarcely been without financial resources.
The club’s most recent financial statements, which display their enormous £6.9 million salary expenditure after winning the National League, provide as proof of this.
Since players like McClean and former Premier League striker Stephen Fletcher joined League Two last summer, that number has probably already gone up.
According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, if Reynolds and McElhenney wish to compete in League One, they will need to spend considerably more money.
It is unclear how far they are ready to push their playing budget given other competing priorities like building a new stand and a state-of-the-art training facility.
But if they want to get Okonkwo’s signature and solidify his move, it might be essential.
