Phil Parkinson offers his reaction as Wrexham awards another youngster a new contract.
Wrexham are currently preparing for a campaign in League One and it’s got off to the best possible start after sealing the permanent transfer of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
The 22-year-old became their first signing of the summer after starring on loan with the Reds last term.
Having beaten off Championship competition for his signature, Phil Parkinson can now move on to his other targets as he aims to strengthen at centre back, left back, central midfield and striker.
Parkinson is looking to build for the present and the future as while capturing players for the first team is the manager’s priority, he’s also looking to tie down youngsters to new contracts.
Wrexham announced the contract extension of 18-year-old midfielder Aaron James last week and now another teenager has committed his future to the club.
Phil Parkinson gives verdict as Harry Dean pens professional contract
Wrexham defender Harry Dean, also aged 18, has just sealed his first professional contract at the Racecourse Ground.
Dean featured regularly for the under-18s across the last two campaigns, helping them to win the National League Youth Alliance Division H title before finishing runners-up in the EFL Youth Alliance North-West Division last season.
The talented teenager has accumulated over 50 appearances for the youth teams in the last two seasons and Parkinson has challenged the youngster to show them what he can do.
Parkinson said, as per Wrexham’s official website: “It’s good to have players stepping up from the Under-18s. The team was close to winning their league last season and Harry was a key part of that.
“Now is the chance for him to step up a level, and show us what he can do.”
Academy manager Andy Lowe dubbed Dean signing a professional contract as a “fantastic achievement”, and one that could act as a springboard for a prosperous future.
Wrexham are building for the future
Max Cleworth is a blueprint for how important it is for Wrexham to invest in their academy.
Arriving at the Welsh side in 2014, the 21-year-old has worked his way up the age groups and is now a regular in Parkinson’s backline having played 24 times in League Two last term.
The club are clearly looking at Cleworth as a trailblazer for other talented youngsters coming through, which is why they’re committed to giving them new contracts.
For a team that normally invests in older players in the transfer market such as James McClean and Steven Fletcher, it appears they’re now looking towards the future.
The signing of Okonkwo, 22, suggests that, as does the rise of Cleworth, who is a perfect example of why the Hollywood owners should strengthen the academy alongside big-name purchases.
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