Wrexham are closing in on their first signing of the January transfer window, with Phil Parkinson’s side reportedly set to land Hull City winger Ryan Longman for £500,000.
The move comes as Wrexham outbid Championship club Oxford United in the race to secure the versatile player’s signature.
Parkinson Finally Moves in January Market
The National League champions have remained relatively quiet during this transfer window, but after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town, pressure has mounted for reinforcements. With Wrexham still chasing automatic promotion in League One, Parkinson appears to have made his move.
The Telegraph’s Jason Burt has reported that Longman, 24, will become Wrexham’s first January addition, with the Red Dragons beating off competition from Oxford United. The deal reflects Wrexham’s financial muscle, as they continue to flex their ambitions under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
“He’s a young player, I think he’s 22 years old. We bought him in for his versatility. You know he can play left wing-back, right wing-back, he can play up front,” said former Millwall boss Gary Rowett. “He’s just a really good footballer, he’s an intelligent footballer. I think he’d be a great addition.”
Who Is Ryan Longman?
Longman began his career at Brighton and Hove Albion, breaking into the first team in 2019. Limited opportunities at the Premier League club saw him embark on a productive loan spell at AFC Wimbledon, where he scored eight goals in 44 League One appearances.
Hull City snapped him up in 2021, initially on loan before making the move permanent. While his versatility has been praised, Longman struggled to secure a regular starting role at Hull and spent last season on loan at Millwall. Rowett, his manager at Millwall, highlighted Longman’s adaptability and intelligence, attributes that Parkinson will likely value highly.
This season, Longman has featured in nine Championship games for Hull but has been deemed surplus to requirements. Wrexham, who expressed interest in him last summer, have now seized the opportunity to bolster their squad with the versatile winger.
At just 24, Longman still holds untapped potential. Capable of playing as a winger, wing-back, or even up front, his arrival is expected to enhance Wrexham’s options in several positions as they aim for a third consecutive promotion.
Writer’s View
Wrexham’s pursuit of Ryan Longman underscores their commitment to building a squad capable of thriving at higher levels. The £500,000 outlay demonstrates their ambition and willingness to invest, while Longman’s versatility could prove invaluable as the season progresses. This move is a clear signal that Wrexham are not content with simply competing in League One – they are aiming to dominate.
