Wales international Danny Ward says he wants to repay the faith Wrexham shown in him at the beginning of his career having sealed a return to the club.
The goalkeeper has signed a three-year deal with his hometown team having returned 13 years on from leaving the Stok Cae Ras to join Liverpool.
He is the club's second signing of the summer following the arrival of striker Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle in June.
“It’s an exciting time and an amazing feeling to be back at the club," said Ward.
“I’m forever grateful for the opportunity that the club gave me at an early age and I hope I can repay that.”
It has been reported that Ward is likely to be Phil Parkinson's second choice shot stopper behind regular number one Arthur Okonkwo.
And while the Red Dragons have significantly bolstered their goalkeeping department with a seasoned international, it does bring concerns over Ward himself.
Now 32 years of age, the goalkeeper has reached double figures for appearances across all competitions for a club in a season just three times in his career (2015-16 on loan at Aberdeen, 2016-17 on loan at Huddersfield Town and 2022-23 at Leicester City).
His inability to play regular football at club level has already cost him, with Karl Darlow now preferred by Craig Bellamy with Wales.
The Leeds United goalkeeper found himself in a similar predicament before replacing Illan Meslier for the latter stages of the Whites' Championship title run-in last season.
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Having shared the goalkeeping shirt with Ward for the six Nations League matches between September and November, Darlow has gone on to start all four World Cup qualifying matches so far in a further blow to Ward's playing prospects.
Ahead of the Euro 2024 play-offs, Rob Page highlighted his concerns over Ward's inability to secure a move away from Leicester City in search of regular action, although he admits he had "sympathy" for the now 44-cap international.
Nevertheless, Ward has now dropped down to the Championship following his release from the relegated Foxes and will begin his bid to become a first team regular.
He will also bring invaluable experience to a side bidding to tackle the second tier Championship having operated in the fifth tier National League just three years ago.
Discussing the deal, Wrexham boss Parkinson said: “We’re delighted to welcome Danny back to Wrexham.
"He’s a 'keeper with a lot of experience and he’s going to be a great addition to the squad.”
