sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Wrexham Star Leaves Club Hours After Norwich Defeat as Statement Issued

Home> Football> Football News

Published 09:47 18 Jan 2026 GMT

Wrexham Star Leaves Club Hours After Norwich Defeat as Statement Issued

Wrexham were beaten 2-1 by Norwich City.

Marcus Chan

Marcus Chan

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Wrexham have confirmed a player departure following their defeat against Norwich City.

On Saturday, the Red Dragons were back in Championship action as they hosted Norwich at the Racecourse Ground.

It was a tough afternoon for Phil Parkinson's men as they were beaten 2-1, with Anis Ben Slimane and Jovon Makama scoring for the visitors. Sam Smith netted for the hosts.

As a result, Wrexham are now 10th in the Championship table, with Norwich still in the drop zone.

Advert

Hours after the match, Wrexham confirmed that veteran midfielder and captain James McClean had left the club.

It has been announced that McClean, 36, will return to his hometown club, Derry City.

A statement from the club read: "Wrexham AFC can confirm back-to-back promotion winner and first-team captain James McClean has left the Club by mutual consent and will return to his hometown team, Derry City."


  • If you want to see even more from SPORTbible, make us a preferred source on Google.
James McClean has joined Derry City from Wrexham. Image: Getty
James McClean has joined Derry City from Wrexham. Image: Getty

Taking to his own social media account, McClean released an emotional statement.

He wrote: "Been going over and over in my head to try somehow put into words what this club @wrexham_afc has meant to me since i signed and truth be told no matter what words i write it wont do justice to express the feeling

"I’ll try so here it goes, its genuinely been the most incredible and enjoyable couple of years i have had, a huge thank you to @vancityreynolds and @robmac who are two incredible people by the way for giving me the opportunity to be part of the magic that is Wrexham or to people outside of Wrexham “Disney FC”, the management staff who believed in me and gave me the honour to captain this club to history, the medical staff, the staff around the ground, the fans who have been incredible and welcomed me from day one, no politics, no media perceptions just football, this club have been incredible and showed a real touch of class in making my move back home easy."

James McClean in action for Wrexham. Image: Getty
James McClean in action for Wrexham. Image: Getty

McClean contined: "Finally and certainly not least all the players, who i shared the dressing room with, battles on the pitch with and the glories off the pitch with Vegas etc enough said, while creating great friendships ( don’t cry @andy14cannon you’ll set me off, its not good bye you can still visit ) we created a bond and togetherness like no other.

"My only regret is i couldn’t have been a few years younger when joining this journey because this club is only going to go on and create more magic but thats football. Its been a real honour and a real pleasure and i wish yous nothing but further success because the squad has real real quality here to achieve this. Up the history making back to back to back Red Dragons. James."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Wrexham, Football

Marcus Chan
Marcus Chan

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
15 hours ago
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Dan Walker issues statement as allegations against ex-Football Focus presenter withdrawn

    Accusations of sexism, misogyny and bullying in the workplace were made against Walker by a Channel 5 co-host but have now been withdrawn.

    Football
  • Getty
    12 hours ago

    Donald Trump ally issues update on Iran playing at World Cup as major 'problem' revealed

    US secretary of state Marco Rubio has issued a new statement.

    Football
  • Getty
    13 hours ago

    Pep Guardiola will 'listen' to offer for dream job as Man City's ideal replacement named

    Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City remains unclear and a new report claims he would consider an international management offer.

    Football
  • Opaleak
    15 hours ago

    Man Utd home shirt for the 2026/27 season receives mixed reception after being leaked online

    The kit draws inspiration from the 1970s.

    Football
  • Wrexham Respond to Claim Premier League Club Want to Make Record Transfer
  • Wrexham player involved in car crash as club issues official statement
  • Wrexham target Premier League star hours after Paul Mullin leaves the club and Pep Guardiola is a huge fan
  • Wrexham star taken to hospital after suffering nasty injury during pre-season defeat to Sydney FC