Wrexham have secured a first summer signing with Arthur Okonkwo completing a much-anticipated return to the club.
They say that patience is a virtue and Wrexham fans have certainly had to take that on board of late.
It’s more than two months since Wrexham secured promotion to League One with an absolute thrashing of Forest Green Rovers.
Once promotion was secured, it was easy for fans to think about the summer window and just who could be arriving for the next stage of the Wrexham project.
Mentions of Jamie Vardy and Gareth Bale unsurprisingly didn’t go anywhere and fans were left to wait and wait some more for a first arrival of the summer.
The big moment has arrived though with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo completing a permanent move to Wrexham.
Arthur Okonkwo agent on Wrexham move
Okonkwo spent last season on loan at Wrexham, arriving from Arsenal after Ben Foster’s rather abrupt retirement.
Wrexham fans immediately took to Okonkwo and he became a firm fan favourite during his time at the STōK Cae Ras.
After landing a spot in the League Two Team of the Season, some Wrexham fans felt that Okonkwo would ultimately end up elsewhere.
A talented goalkeeper with a huge future ahead of him, Okonkwo will have certainly appealed as a free agent with his Arsenal contract ending.
Wrexham have managed to get a deal done though, bringing Okonkwo back to the club on a three-year deal.
This has the feeling of a major coup for Wrexham and Okonkwo’s agent has now offered his verdict on the move.
Okonkwo is represented by the Arete agency and, speaking through their official Instagram account, agent Jonathan Beckett admitted being ‘delighted’ with the move.
Beckett added that Wrexham are ‘one of the most ambitious clubs’ in the game right now, believing that this move is a ‘brilliant platform’ for Okonkwo.
Beckett feels that Wrexham is just a ‘perfect fit’ for Okonkwo with real excitement around his move away from Arsenal.
“The Team are delighted to have secured this fantastic new contract for Arthur as he steps away from Arsenal on a permanent basis,” said Beckett. “It’s a brilliant platform to continue his development as a young goalkeeper. As one of the most ambitious clubs in world football it’s the perfect fit and we look forward to watching Arthur play his part this season,” he added.
Wrexham pulling power continues
Wrexham have become headline news around the world thanks to the arrival of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
The rise of the club has captured hearts and minds across the globe, with the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series certainly playing a big role.
Wrexham have been able to outspend rival clubs in the National League and League Two; few fans would really deny that.
Yet Wrexham have also been able to convince players about the project under McElhenney and Reynolds, tempting players from higher divisions.
Paul Mullin is a perfect example having swapped League One with Cambridge United for a move to Wrexham in 2021.
Okonkwo will have surely received interest from Championship clubs and maybe even teams around Europe, but he chose Wrexham.
Familiarity and guaranteed playing time may have been key factors, but Okonkwo would not have made the move if he didn’t think that he could really further his career with Wrexham.
Agent Beckett clearly agrees too and player representatives noticing Wrexham’s ambition means we could see more major additions this summer.
