Wrexham’s ‘heroic’ midfielder nearly signed for Hungarian club instead in bizarre transfer that fell apart

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Wrexham’s incredible level of media coverage has transformed the lives of their players, but not many fans know that one star came close to missing out on the limelight.

Since the Hollywood takeover by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, the Welsh club’s standing in the football world has sky-rocketed, with American audiences falling in love with watching their back-to-back-to-back promotions through the Disney Plus docuseries ‘Welcome to Wrexham‘.

After coming up to the Championship, Wrexham have had a busy window, and are now set to battle Millwall for Andy Irving. The Welsh outfit are also reportedly targeting former Birmingham City midfielder Jordan James, while a potential £7.5million bid for Southampton’s Will Smallbone has been mooted too.

Last summer, the Red Dragons brought in players who were key to their promotion from League One, including Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, Ollie Rathbone and George Dobson among other recruits. However, it could have all been so different for one of those recruits had he stuck by a pre-agreement with a Hungarian club he had made earlier that year.

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George Dobson cancelled pre-agreement with Fehervar FC before Wrexham transfer

Wrexham signed George Dobson on a free transfer last summer following the expiration of his contract with Charlton Athletic.

But when the former Charlton captain was waving goodbye to the Addicks’ away end at Wycombe Wanderers that May, he was expecting to be playing in Hungary come August.

Rewind to December 2023, and the south Londoners were in a precarious position in League One, flirting with relegation to the fourth tier. Dobson had wanted to stay at the club, but was not offered a sufficient contract extension offer.

Bizarrely, it was Hungarian second tier club Fehervar FC that looked to snap him up that January. However, after Nathan Jones arrived to replace Michael Appleton in early February and with the Hungary transfer window still open, Charlton pulled out of the deal at the last minute. Instead, Dobson signed a pre-agreement with Fehervar, with his new contract starting in July.

Fast forward to the end of the 2023/24 season, and Dobson had helped steer Charlton away from the relegation zone to safety. Up until July, Addicks fans expected him to be heading for the continent. However, Dobson and Fehervar mutually terminated their agreement due to the midfielder’s personal circumstances.

Two days after the reports of him being a free agent, he signed for Wrexham on a three-year deal.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has praised Dobson on numerous occasions, labelling him as ‘heroic’ after his side’s 1-0 with at Wycombe last season.

“We had to defend a corner straight away and it [was] a heroic goal-line clearance from Dobo [George Dobsobn] absolutely brilliant,” he said.

After helping his side to finish second in League One last term, Dobson has been starting in midfield again in the second tier, starring alongside summer recruit Lewis O’Brien.

George Dobson looking to learn off midfield partner Lewis O’Brien

26-year-old O’Brien signed from Nottingham Forest in July, with reports suggesting Wrexham paid a club-record fee of £5 million for him.

He has started and played every minute of Wrexham’s return to the second tier so far alongside Dobson, scoring one goal in the 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion. Matty James makes up their midfield three.

Dobson praised O’Brien’s quality before their draw with Sheffield Wednesday and says he hopes to learn from his Premier League experience.

“He’s a top quality player,” Dobson said. “You can tell why he’s played at a high level and the way he manoeuvres the ball in tight positions.

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“His athleticism of being able to cover such high distances – it’s something for me to look at and help improve my game.

“I’m really enjoying playing alongside him and long may it continue.”

Dobson and co. will be hoping to win their first league game of the season when they face Millwall this Saturday.