Phil Parkinson will absolutely love the ‘immense’ attribute Ryan Hardie will bring to Wrexham

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Wrexham are looking to take the Championship by storm in 2025/26, and a strong summer transfer window can lay the foundations for another successful campaign.

Backed by the riches of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, Wrexham have already shown ambition in the summer market.

Wrexham were linked with a move for Tom Cairney in May and were reportedly willing to pay him £50k-a-week, though the Scottish veteran signed a new contract at Fulham instead.

The Red Dragons have also eyed Lewis Travis, the Blackburn Rovers midfielder who is yet to hold talks over a new contract at Ewood Park.

Travis would be a fantastic signing for Phil Parkinson, potentially becoming their second addition of the summer after Ryan Hardie.

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Phil Parkinson will love Ryan Hardie’s work rate at Wrexham

It was announced late on Monday that Wrexham secured the signing of Hardie from Plymouth Argyle for a reported £700,000.

The 28-year-old struck double figures in the Championship last term with 10 goals but was unable to prevent Plymouth from slipping into League One.

Now, after earning an instant passage back to the second tier, Wrexham supporters will feel a sense of excitement, knowing that Hardie is a proven scorer at this level following a 13-goal haul in 2023/24.

Encouragingly, the Scottish striker isn’t just known for his lethal finishing in the box, with his ferocious pressing from the front and work rate being the key attributes that have stood out across his career.

Speaking about Hardie during his time as Plymouth boss in 2021, Ryan Lowe once said via BBC Sport: “He’s been different class. When he’s running at defenders or goalkeepers he’s immense and the work rate in him was fantastic.”

With Sam Dalby joining Bolton Wanderers and Paul Mullin set to leave Wrexham, Hardie’s pressing and energy are two attributes Parkinson will love watching next season.

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Hardie has scored goals wherever he’s been

Disregarding the exploits of Sam Smith, who joined in the January transfer window, Wrexham’s top scorer in 2024/25 was midfielder Ollie Rathbone with just eight goals in League One.

So, everyone associated with the club will be pleased that they’ve got the signing of Hardie done early, as he’s someone who outscored his new teammates playing in a division higher.

The key to a successful Championship campaign is boasting someone with Hardie’s finishing instincts, and his potential partnership with Smith is mouth-watering.

Across his career, the Scotsman has averaged almost one goal every three games, which is a relentless consistency that Parkinson hopes will continue at Wrexham.