James McClean is on the verge of leaving Wrexham to return home and sign for League of Ireland club Derry City.
McClean’s contract with the Red Dragons does not expire until next summer, but he will now leave the club with immediate effect.
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According to The Times, after 15 years in British football, he will re-sign for the club he played for in Derry from 2008 to 2011.
The 36-year-old joined Wrexham in 2023 and has since played over 100 games for the Welsh side, contributing to their incredible rise.
McClean is their current captain but he has struggled for minutes so far in the new year.
A ban imposed in December has seen him fall down the pecking order and will now leave the club.
He was not named in Wrexham’s squad for the Championship game against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.
And it was later confirmed that he will be leaving very soon to sign a multi-year contract in Northern Ireland.
Chief executive officer Mike Williamson told BBC Sport that McClean would be leaving after three years in Wales.
Williamson admitted: “Jimmy will pursue another opportunity that he is considering.”
Reynolds and McElhenney’s promise
McClean’s departure from Wrexham comes as Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney make good on their promise.
The duo have allowed their captain to transfer as returning to Northern Ireland will be “special” for him.
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CEO Williamson explained: “We have been a club that has always supported players’ wishes and given them the opportunities they seek.”
“This comes straight from Rob and Ryan, where they have shown, with some of the players who are not part of the project, and on the way forward and promotion, that they have always done the right thing by the players.”
“We make sure that when they have the opportunity to do something that is important and special to them, we support them 100 percent.”
“It’s the same situation with Jimmy.”
A career full of controversy
McClean will leave British football and return to Derry City, 15 years after he left the club to join Sunderland.
During this time, he has certainly earned a controversial reputation in the game over his time with six different teams.
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The Republic of Ireland international was often targeted by fans for refusing to wear a poppy on Remembrance Sunday.
He still maintains this stance today and has defended his decision several times.
In 2024 he received special dispensation from the EFL to prevent fan abuse.
The exemption came after clashes with Birmingham City fans and Mansfield and Shrewsbury supporters in recent years.
Many more problems have blighted his career in the Premier League and EFL too, but McClean will now leave and hope for a smoother end to his career back home with Derry.