Phil Parkinson isn't done yet. After a quiet summer by Wrexham's recent standards, the manager confirmed following Sunday's 1-0 friendly defeat to Sunderland that more signings are on the way — and given what's at stake this season, they probably need them.
The headline arrival is Ben Whiteman, the 30-year-old who captained Preston North End for six seasons before Wrexham came calling. The fee could reach £3 million. He's experienced, he's Championship-tested, and he knows exactly what he's walking into.
"Wrexham is a Club that wants to get to the Premier League and so do I," Whiteman said. "Once the interest was there, it was really hard to ignore."
Two in, more to follow
Whiteman is the second senior signing of the window, following full-back Danny Imray who arrived from Crystal Palace for around £5 million. The 23-year-old steps into the role vacated by Issa Kaboré, whose loan from Manchester City ended after last season. Replacing a Premier League loanee with a permanent signing suggests Wrexham are building something more sustainable — less reliant on goodwill from wealthy neighbours.
Still, two signings into August feels light for a club with genuine promotion ambitions. Parkinson clearly agrees. "I'm hoping we'll make a few more additions along the way," he said, after noting the Championship will be stronger this year. That's not spin — the second tier has been genuinely more competitive, and Wrexham's first season back showed the gap between ambition and execution.
One advantage Parkinson does have: continuity. Last summer's recruits were signed piecemeal as the window moved. This time, the group has been together all preseason — wins over Manchester United and Leeds United, a draw with Wisła Kraków, losses to Liverpool and Sunderland. The results matter less than the minutes banked.
What the season opener tells you about the squad
The competitive schedule starts with Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup on Friday, then a trip to Cardiff City on August 17 for the Championship opener. Those are two immediate tests of where this squad actually stands.
Whiteman should add quality and leadership in central midfield — areas where Wrexham were occasionally exposed last season. Whether Parkinson can add one or two more before the window closes will go a long way to determining whether this is another learning year or a genuine promotion push. Right now, the squad depth isn't there yet, and the Championship table doesn't do sentiment.
