James McClean has left Wrexham with immediate effect to return home and sign for League of Ireland club Derry City.
McClean’s contract with the Red Dragons didn’t expire until next summer, but he left the club early by mutual consent.
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After 15 years in British football, he has re-signed with 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 was her club’s captain but struggled with minutes in the new year.
A ban imposed in December saw him fall down the pecking order and he has now left SToK Cae Ras.
He was not named in Wrexham’s squad for the Championship game against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.
And it was later confirmed by his former and new clubs that he had signed a multi-year contract in Northern Ireland.
After his move to Derry was officially announced, McClean said: “It’s no secret what this club means to me, it was always the plan to come home.”
“It’s a bit surreal that it’s here and it’s happened, but I can’t wait to get started. Wrexham and the way they’ve dealt with such absolute class, they’ve made it as easy as possible to come home. I’ve spoken to the manager and told him the place I want to go is home.”
He added: “I like challenges in my career and this is probably one of the best challenges I can take on right now.”
“This is the last club of my career, this is where I end my career. If I won a league title here and went out this way, I couldn’t write the script better.”
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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.
Red Dragons CEO Mike Williamson said: “We have been a club that has always supported players and given them the opportunities they are looking for.”
“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.”
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A career full of controversy
McClean has left British football to 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.
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 other problems have dogged his career in the Premier League and EFL too, but McClean is now hoping for a smoother end to his career back home with Derry.