Record signing Lewis O'Brien excited by Wrexham’s 'Disney story' as £5m star vows to answer any 'spam calls' from Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney

The 26-year-old midfielder has become the Red Dragons’ record signing after completing a £5 million ($7m) transfer to SToK Racecourse from Nottingham Forest. He is hoping to play a leading role in helping the Welsh outfit push on towards the Premier League.

O'Brien briefly graced that stage with Forest, but has spent much of the last two-and-a-half years taking in loan spells at D.C. United, Middlesbrough, LAFC and Swansea. He feels ready to put down roots somewhere that continues to generate a lot of excitement.

O’Brien said in The Leader of becoming a Red Dragon and ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary star: “It’s kind of crazy what’s happened at Wrexham, it’s surreal really. I’ve watched the Disney programme and it’s like a Disney story - the third oldest club in the world having back-to-back-to-back promotions. Once you see that and hear the club want to sign you, you want to be part of it.

“I’m absolutely buzzing. It’s been a long time coming but to finally be here feels great. The last couple of years have been a bit of a whirlwind for me and my family but to sign somewhere I can call home is a great feeling. We’ve just had a little girl so we’ll definitely be looking to move to the area. I ended the season with Swansea and I’ve had a couple of spells in America so now it’s time to find somewhere we can call home.”

O’Brien added when asked if he has spoken to Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owners, with Reynolds and McElhenney famously hands-on in their running of the Red Dragons: “I’ve not spoken to them yet but I’ll be answering every unknown caller and all the spam calls I get!”

Wrexham have returned to the UK from a pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand. O’Brien will get the chance to feature in a couple of friendly dates before Phil Parkinson’s side open their 2025-26 Championship campaign away at Southampton on August 9.