Five ex-Premier League free agents Wrexham’s Ryan Reynolds could sign to join Ben Foster
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Ryan Reynolds could sign more ex-Premier League stars at Wrexham via the free-agent market (Image: GETTY)
National League leaders Wrexham have pulled off a major transfer coup with the signing of former Manchester United, Birmingham, West Brom and Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster on a short-term deal after convincing the veteran to come out of retirement until the end of the season.
It’s the latest impressive chapter of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Hollywood story in Wales as the pair seek to propel the Red Dragons back into the Football League.
Although the National League transfer deadline is now imminent, there are a whole host of other free agents with Premier League experience that are still yet to find a club.
With that in mind, Express Sport analyses five free agents Wrexham could hypothetically sign either now or in the summer to draw even more eyes to their box-office project.
Danny Rose
This would be a statement signing given Rose was arguably the best left-back in the Premier League just six or so years ago.
While he has evidently gone off the boil since having struggled at Watford last season, the 32-year-old still has more to give and could easily play higher than the National League providing he was able to avoid injuries.
Coincidentally, Rose has actually been training with another National League side in recent weeks in the form of York City.
It’s unclear whether a potential transfer is on the cards but the move shows Rose is still trying to continue his footballing career, even if offers have been few and far between.
His wage demands are likely to be excessive though given what he previously earned at Tottenham.
Danny Rose is still a free agent since leaving Watford and has been training with York City (Image: Getty)
Tom Carroll
The former Tottenham attacking midfielder is yet to find a new club since leaving Ipswich Town at the end of last season having made 17 appearances in all competitions for the Tractor Boys.
Carroll is vastly experienced having also played in the Premier League with Swansea City before dropping down to the Championship with Queens Park Rangers.
The 30-year-old also has Europa League experience having scored his first competitive goal in a 4-1 win over Monaco.
Nonetheless, maintaining his fitness has been a struggle due to various injuries but having featured 17 times for England’s Under-21s during the early stages of his career, there is no denying his technical quality.
Danny Drinkwater
Drinkwater has been without a club since being released by Chelsea last summer having spent last season on loan at Championship side Reading.
He enjoyed a reasonably successful stint with The Royals, playing 32 times in Berkshire throughout the 2021/22 campaign following spells with Burnley, Aston Villa and Kasimpasa in Turkey.
It would suggest the industrious central midfielder, who won the 2015/2016 Premier League title with Leicester, is still capable of playing a lot of games – a natural requirement in the National League.
The 33-year-old spent time training with Reading again last summer in pre-season but never re-joined the Championship outfit, meaning he is still free to sign for another club.
Jordon Ibe
Incredibly, the former Liverpool winger is still only 27 meaning he still has plenty of years left in the tank if he wishes to continue his football career.
The tricky attacker has had a tough time off the field and that has been reflected by his sad demise having once been tipped for a very bright future at Anfield.
Ibe last played for Adanaspor in Turkey after joining the club from Derby County but he has not played regularly since the 2018/19 season with Bournemouth.
Nonetheless, his tricky dribbling and Premier League experience could still prove to be a real asset for any side willing to take a chance on him, providing they can get Ibe back up to speed.
Ex-Liverpool and Bournemouth winger Jordon Ibe is still without a club (Image: Getty)
Fraizer Campbell
Campbell was once a hot prospect during his time at Manchester United and he has also scored goals in the top-flight with Sunderland, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace.
The veteran striker is still without a club having played for Huddersfield Town in the Championship last season where he made 19 appearances for the Terries before their play-off final defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The 35-year-old’s game is built upon work rate in the final third and he could prove to be a great striker partner for 40-goal Wrexham frontman Paul Mullin.
Any move obviously seems very unlikely though but from a hypothetical standpoint, Campbell would most likely rip up the National League should he get the chance to feature.