Wrexham AFC Add Rodríguez; Sign Smith for Record Fee After Becoming the Highest….
Wrexham AFC have sprung a shock this January, making waves on two fronts: they’ve added former Premier League striker Jay Rodriguez, and smashed their transfer record to sign Reading’s Sam Smith for around £2 million
Rodriguez, 35, dropped from Burnley after an 18-month stay, joining Wrexham on what BBC Sport describes as an “undisclosed fee” deal running until summer 2026 A veteran forward with 150+ Premier League appearances and a single England cap, he brings a wealth of experience to the Racecourse squad .
But the real statement came with the arrival of Sam Smith. The 26-year-old frontman, formerly of Reading, signed a three-and-a-half-year deal after netting 11 League One goals this season. Wrexham’s fee—reported at £2 million—broke their seven-figure barrier and established a new club record The deal reportedly surpassed interest from Championship and even European clubs
Manager Phil Parkinson hailed Smith as “a player we’ve been pursuing for a while… done really well over the last few seasons and he’s at a great age” Smith quickly bonded with Rodriguez; he praised his new strike partner as “a quality player… a clever player,” and celebrated his first goal in a crucial 2‑0 win at Northampton
However, not all has been smooth. Rodriguez has yet to open his account through nine appearances, prompting fans and pundits to question whether his role should be reconsidered
Overall, these high-profile transfers reflect Wrexham’s renewed ambition as they chase a historic third straight promotion. With Championship football now in sight, the club has shown it’s ready to spend big—and the Racecourse faithful will be watching closely to see how this striking duo propels them forwar