Wrexham Striker Seals Move to Championship Rivals

The Red Dragons have announced another exit during the summer transfer window.

Ryan Hardie scored just one goal after he joined Wrexham last summer. | Cameron Smith/Getty Images

Wrexham striker Ryan Hardie has joined Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan deal.

The 29-year-old became Wrexham’s first signing following promotion to the Championship a year ago when he completed a $945,000 move from Plymouth Argyle. Although he featured heavily during preseason, the striker was effectively replaced by the end of the transfer window following the arrivals of fellow forwards Kieffer Moore, Nathan Broadhead and Josh Windass.

Hardie made just two Championship starts for the Red Dragons, with his only goal in 10 appearances coming in the Carabao Cup victory over Preston North End last season.

Bolton were one of several clubs interested in a loan deal for Hardie in January, but he instead opted to join League One rivals Huddersfield Town. The former Scotland youth international scored two goals in six appearances for Huddersfield before an injury cut his season short in March.

Hardie still did enough to impress during his brief spell in League One, though, and has now joined Bolton following their promotion to the Championship. He will team up with fellow former Wrexham forward Sam Dalby at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Speaking after the loan deal was confirmed Tuesday, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: “We wish Ryan all the best at Bolton. He had a disrupted loan last season, and it’s important he gets back to playing first-team football this season.”

A statement from the club added: “All at Wrexham AFC would like to wish Ryan well for the coming season.”

Steven Schumacher’s side earned promotion through the League One playoffs last season, returning to the Championship for the first time since 2019.

Hardie will be ineligible to play against Wrexham during the upcoming season, with the Red Dragons scheduled to travel to Bolton on Friday, Dec. 11. The reverse fixture will see Wrexham host the newly promoted side at the Racecourse Ground on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.

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Wrexham Working on New Signings

Wrexham are set to sign Anthony Patterson from Sunderland. | Stu Forster/Getty Images

Wrexham are working on several new signings during the final three weeks of the summer transfer window, with Hardie’s departure having been planned for some time. The former Plymouth Argyle striker was not included in the recent preseason tour of the United States, along with defenders Conor Coady and Seb Revan.

The Red Dragons are close to completing a club-record move for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, which is expected to pave the way for another goalkeeper to leave the club before the transfer deadline. Arthur Okonkwo would appear the most likely to depart, given that he is only 24 years old and holds greater transfer value than Danny Ward and Callum Burton.

Parkinson would also like to add a center back to his squad this summer, while the search for another attacker continues. Wrexham have shown interest in Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt, who was part of the Hull City side that won promotion to the Premier League last season.

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