Wrexham have made their first summer signing by bringing in Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old Scottish striker says advice from Wayne Rooney during his Plymouth days has made him a more lethal finisher.
Hardie has signed a three-year deal with the Red Dragons following Plymouth's relegation from the Championship. His arrival comes as Wrexham prepare for life in the second tier for the first time in 43 years after their promotion from League One in April.
The forward brings an impressive scoring record to North Wales. He's hit double figures in each of his last four seasons and even scored the penalty that knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup back in February.
Rooney's Finishing Masterclass
Despite Rooney's difficult seven-month spell as Plymouth manager, Hardie credits the Manchester United legend for valuable striking tips. The Scot revealed Rooney taught him to "guide the ball from crosses instead of hitting them hard" and shared insights on creating space with "two-yard movements" to lose defenders.
"You can see the movement that got him the success. Those suggestions have massively improved my finishing," Hardie explained. "Working under him as a striker, if I never learnt a few things from that then I was doing it wrong."
This coaching from one of football's greatest goalscorers could prove invaluable for Wrexham. Club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will surely be delighted that their new striker has received personal finishing lessons from Wayne Rooney himself.
Championship Experience Adds Value
Hardie brings valuable Championship experience to a Wrexham side moving up to that level. After starting his career at Rangers, he eventually found his home at Plymouth, scoring 74 goals in 248 appearances for the Pilgrims.
"The last couple of seasons, it's been good getting experience in the EFL Championship," Hardie said after joining Wrexham. "I've enjoyed playing there, and I've managed to score a few goals, so hopefully that can continue this season."
For Wrexham, landing a proven Championship-level striker represents smart business. Their ambitious owners are clearly not just looking to survive in the second tier but to compete, and Hardie's signing signals that intent.
Manager Phil Parkinson expressed his delight at securing Hardie's services: "I'm delighted to welcome Ryan to the club. We're looking forward to working with him and I'm sure everyone will give him a warm welcome."
Wrexham fans looking ahead to next season's Championship campaign have reason for optimism. The club is making early moves in the transfer market, and in Hardie, they've secured a forward with both the experience and finishing ability needed to compete at a higher level.
For betting enthusiasts tracking Championship team building, Wrexham's early transfer activity suggests they won't be there just to make up the numbers next season. With their ambition and resources, they could be an interesting outsider in various markets rather than relegation favorites.
