Wrexham announce statement of intent by signing League One rival's captain as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side complete third transfer of the summer

The signing of Dobson represents a major coup for the recently promoted Red Dragons, who had looked to sign the midfielder last summer. Dobson departed Charlton upon the expiration of his contract and had previously signed a pre-contract agreement with Hungarian side Fehervar. However, due to personal circumstances, the two parties agreed to terminate the deal and allow the Englishman to become a free agent, laying his path to north Wales.

Dobson, who had been the captain of Charlton and played 43 times in League One for the Addicks last season, will instantly become a key player in the middle of the park for Wrexham. The Red Dragons may have been promoted from League Two at the first time of asking, but the step up in quality to League One may make back-to-back-to-back promotions trickier. Yet, the signing of Dobson alongside Arthur Okonkwo and Lewis Brunt will give Phil Parkinson's side a real boost that they can compete at the highest echelons of the division.

On joining the Red Dragons, Dobson told the club: "I'm genuinely delighted. It’s the club in the EFL that everyone wants to come to and when I got the opportunity to join it was exciting.

“When I spoke to the gaffer, and he showed his interest it felt like an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I can't wait to meet all the supporters and hopefully carry on the success of the club and have an enjoyable season."

The Wrexham boss was equally delighted to have beaten off competition to sign Dobson, who he managed at Sunderland. He said: "George is a great signing for us. He's developed really well as a player and is someone we have known about for a while.

"He plays with real personality; he is a great character to have in the building and he has captained Charlton before. Leadership quality in the group is so important and George will certainly bring that."

Dobson will join the rest of the Wrexham squad for pre-season ahead of their return to League One for the first time in almost two decades. Boasting huge experience of playing and captaining in the division, it can be expected Dobson will be one of the key players for Parkinson going forward and one the rest of the squad looks to for inspiration.