Ex-Arsenal star snapped up by Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham on free transfer after one month unemployed
WREXHAM have announced their first signing of the summer transfer window.
Arthur Okonkwo has returned to the League One club on a free transfer following his release by Arsenal.
The goalkeeper previously spent last season on loan at the Racecourse Ground, helping Wrexham win promotion.
He has now signed a three-year deal with the Red Dragons through to the summer of 2027.
Okonkwo will officially join on July 1 when his Gunners deal expires.
Speaking to the club website, the 21-year-old explained: “I’m feeling very good, I’m so happy to have finally signed and I can’t wait to get back to it.
“It was amazing last season. We had so many good memories together with the fans, and knowing they wanted me back was a big reason that I’m back. It’s good to finally be here.
“This is home, it’s felt like that since last season when I came in. The co-chairmen are so good, the manager, the coaches, the players, and obviously the backroom staff that you don’t see. It’s so good to be here.”
Okonkwo made 40 appearances across all competitions for Wrexham last season, keeping 16 clean sheets and conceding just 35 goals.
The former England youth international was a key part of Phil Parkinson’s promotion-winning side.
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How Ryan Reynolds has been watching Wrexham games in style
CO-OWNER Ryan Reynolds hasn't been able to make it to Wrexham in recent weeks due to filming commitments.
But that hasn’t stopped him from watching his team in style.
Streaming the match on a laptop or even a TV was not grand enough for the Deadpool star as he worked on the set of his latest movie.
With a giant green screen behind him, he could not resist broadcasting Wrexham’s recent game on to the huge projector.
Reynolds and his crew watched on as the Welsh side notched their 23rd win of the season against Crawley Town.
He looked enamoured as the game played on behind him while surrounding by various pieces of Hollywood machinery.
And Reynolds captioned the moment: “Watching the Wrexham game at work: new level unlocked.”
It’s not clear what project Reynolds was working on at the time, with the actor currently developing several new movies including sequels to smash hits Free Guy and Red Notice.
Back-to-back promotions have sealed Wrexham’s return to League One for the first time since 2005.
Prior to his move to the club, Okonkwo spent 15 years with the Gunners.
During that time, he also had loan spells with Crewe and Austrian side Sturm Graz.
Although Okonkwo is the club’s first summer signing, Wrexham’s squad has already undergone changes ahead of the new campaign.
The club announced their retained list back in May, with club captain Ben Tozer one of eight players departing.
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