Huge Wrexham transfer coup! Why Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney's side pushed hard to sign Luke Bolton - the winger with eye-catching CV who made 'better than Phil Foden' claim

The wing-back came through the youth ranks at Manchester City in the same group as Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, who have gone on to hit major heights.

As a 17-year-old, Bolton was part of a talented England side which won the prestigious Toulon youth tournament with a squad that featured Reece James, Harvey Barnes and David Brooks.

Moving on from City, Bolton had loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Luton Town and Dundee United before finding a permanent move close to home when he signed for Salford City in 2022. Salford are owned by a notable youth class of their own, with former Manchester United legends David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Gary and Phil Neville all part of the ownership group which featured in 'The Class of '92:Full Time' documentary.

Bolton has often spoken about how proud he is of his former colleagues' achievements. In an interview with The Courierduring his loan spell at Dundee United in 2020, Bolton told the newspaper of his delight at Foden's first call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad.

“Our academy team was quite strong and I have grown up with Phil since I was about 11. I sent him a message but I think he might be getting bombarded with congratulations.

“Fair play to Phil, he deserves it. Every time he has played for City he has performed. I know he works hard every day in training so I hope it continues for him and he keeps getting called up by England.

“I certainly enjoyed playing with Phil. I think for about three seasons at City we went unbeaten, hammering teams 14-0 – silly score-lines like that. Phil is the one who has gone and done it better than anyone else. The boss Pep Guardiola trusts him totally."

Asked if he was better than Foden, he also replied: "Yes, of course!"

Bolton's youth pedigree and experience of all that comes with a high-profile club owners should mean that there's little to overawe him as he settles into life at the Racecourse. New boss Phil Parkinson will be hoping that the speed and quality that made him a top performer at youth level will boost Wrexham as they shape up the squad in preparation for their promotion push.

In one of those twists of fate that football seems to conjure up, Bolton's debut for Wrexham may come during Saturday's trip to... Salford City.

Bolton played 90 minutes for The Ammies in their 3-2 win at Crewe last Saturday, but now finds himself in the strange position of lining up against last weekend's team-mates when his new side visit Moor Lane.