Wrexham FC Transfer Deadline Day Round Up

Wrexham FC had a busy transfer deadline day yesterday with one player departing for the Premiership and two brought in to strengthen the squad.

Right back Curtis Obeng, who has had an impressive season and shone against Brighton in the FA Cup third round, departed for Premier League side Swansea for a figure rumoured to be anywhere between £150k-£200k.

The figure is likely to rise with add ons should he make the cut at the Liberty Stadium.

Coming the other way on loan till the end of the season was the Swan’s Wales Under 21 right back Daniel Alfei who will likely be Obeng’s replacement.

Commenting on the news Wrexham player-manager Andy Morrell said: “This is a good move for both Curtis and the club. The chance to join a Premiership club is a great opportunity for him and we obviously wish him well.”

“We’ve had a lot of good reports about Alfie and we were delighted to able to bring him in as part of the deal,” added Morrell.

“With the enforced break we’ve got it’s an ideal chance for him to be integrated into the team’s style of play ahead of the final promotion push.”

Alfei’s national side team mate, 6’1″ striker Rob Ogleby, also signed for the Dragons on a free transfer until the end of the season after his contract was terminated by SPL club Hearts.

Morrell said: “With Danny Wright’s injury, we’ve been looking to bring in another striker and Rob certainly fits the bill.”

Morrell also bolstered the side by getting central midfielder Andy Mitchell on trial from Glasgow Rangers, the Northern Ireland U19 can also play at right back and is a product of the Manchester City youth system.

Yesterday’s signings join left sided midfielder Steven Leslie who signed from Shrewsbury earlier in the window.

Departures include the club’s third choice goalkeeper Danny Ward who went to Liverpool for a fee of around £100,000 and wantaway midfielder Lee Fowler who went to rivals Fleetwood for an undisclosed fee.

Morrell appeared pleased overall with the club’s activities in the January transfer window and hasn’t ruled out bringing in one or two more players when the emergency loan window opens next week.

He said: “We decided at the outset what we wanted to achieve and things have gone well.

“Losing Curtis late on was frustrating but the chance to move to the Premiership is every player’s dream. It also sends out a positive message to other players, in that they can come here and make real progress. And in doing so that benefits both the club and the player.”

Wrexham FC CEO David Roberts was similarly pleased, he said: “The Club Board stated that we were determined to keep the side intact and, save for Danny Ward and Curtis Obeng both moving to Premiership clubs, we have done just that.”

“These moves have helped provide the club with a much needed degree of financial stability and the potential for further future revenues should the players continue to improve in their careers. It’s also meant that we have been able to turn down offers for several other players, which underlines our commitment to returning to The Football League next season.”

It was rumoured that the club board turned down a bid in the region of £100,000 for centre back Nat Knight Percival from Peterbrough and a bid from an unknown club for Danny Wright.

Mr Roberts added: “All in all, it’s been a hectic few weeks, but we have backed Andy Morrell in every way possible to secure the signatures of Neil Ashton, Jay Harris and Joslain Mayebi on new long-term contracts, as well as being in advanced negotiations with others members of the squad.

“We’ve also managed to bring in three new players – Daniel Aflei, Steven Leslie and Rob Ogleby – to bolster the current side and hopefully they’ll be more to come over the course of the next month.”