Wrexham show intent with Sheaf, Hyam and Kabore signings

Ben Sheaf started his career at Arsenal before joining Coventry

Wrexham have signed Coventry City midfielder Ben Sheaf and Blackburn Rovers defender Dom Hyam in another statement of intent from the Championship newcomers.

The Hollywood-owned Welsh club also sealed the deadline day signing of Manchester City defender Issa Kabore on a season-long loan.

It completes a summer recruitment that has seen manager Phil Parkinson add 13 players to the squad that won promotion from League One – with an outlay of close to £30m.

The north Wales club already had the highest net spend in the second tier before the final day moves, where they paid in the region of £6.5m for 27-year-old Sheaf and around £2m for Scotland international Hyam.

The 27-year-old Sheaf has signed a three-year contract at the Stok Cae Ras.

"The trajectory the club is on, I'm excited to be on board with that," said Sheaf. "From speaking to the manager, and from the ambition of the owners, it's clear it's only going one way. I'm looking forward to contributing.

"When the opportunity to move to Wrexham came up, it's something I really wanted to be able to do – I'm excited to get started now."

Hyam relishing 'exciting opportunity'

Defender Dominic Hyam was a double promotion winner with ex-club Coventry City

Wrexham beat the cut-off to sign Hyam on a two-year deal, having also seen offers for Bristol City's Zak Vyner rejected.

Former Reading and Coventry City centre-back Hyam, 29, was a key figure at Ewood Park, playing every minute of their Championship campaign last season.

But in his final year of his contract at Rovers, Wrexham's offer opened the door for them to add to their central defensive options that have already seen former England defender Conor Coady and ex-Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle brought in this summer.

Once-capped Hyam has been preparing for duty with Scotland ahead of their World Cup qualifiers with Denmark and Belarus, and he is expected at the Stok Cae Ras after his international commitments.

"It's really exciting for me. I'm looking forward to meeting the players and the fans and getting started," Hyam said.

"Speaking to people about Wrexham, and seeing how quickly it has gone from strength to strength, it is so attractive as a player to be a part of that.

"Seeing the success and how well they have done on the pitch, and how they have strengthened every season, just really attracted me to it. I thought it was a really exciting opportunity."

Loanee Kabore 'will give everything'

Defender Issa Kabore joined Manchester City in 2020 but has yet to make a senior appearance for the club

Sheaf became Wrexham's 11th signing of the summer, with the arrivals of Kabore and Hyam late on deadline day making it a baker's dozen of arrivals.

Burkina Faso international Kabore, 24, capped 49 times by his country, spent last season on loan at Benfica in Portugal and then German side Werder Bremen.

Kabore, who operates primarily as a right-back or right wing-back, has previously had loan spells at Marseille and Luton Town, during their 2023-24 campaign in the Premier League.

"I'm feeling good, I'm very happy to be a Wrexham player," Kabore said.

"The project here is so amazing. Wrexham is a family club, a fantastic club, and that's why I'm here. I will give everything for this team."

Sheaf played an integral role in Coventry's run to the FA Cup semi-finals in 2024 and was rated among the Championship's best midfielders as he helped them reach the play-offs last season.

But a combination of injuries, the signing of Matt Grimes from Swansea City in January and the emergence of Victor Torp saw him fall down the pecking order under Frank Lampard.

"Change is always good, the move gets me out of my comfort zone," Sheaf added.

"I've had some really good moments with Coventry and some memorable times, but it's come to a time to look for something new and something exciting."

Parkinson's side earned a historic third successive promotion last season as they finished second in League One.