"Real statement of intent" - Pundit reacts as Wrexham AFC sign ex-Sunderland and Charlton Athletic man | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has his say on the Red Dragons' acquisition of former Addicks skipper George Dobson

Highlights

Former Sheffield Wednesday man Carlton Palmer believes the addition of George Dobson shows that Wrexham mean business ahead of their League One campaign.

The Red Dragons added the experience of the former Addicks captain to their ranks over the weekend, following his transfer u-turn on a summer switch to Hungarian side Fehervar.

The 26-year-old had agreed a pre-contract agreement with to join the club on July 1 once his contract at The Valley expired, but decided against the move at the eleventh hour.

And that decision has played straight into the League One newsboys’ hands this summer, as Phil Parkinson adds a player with plenty of EFL experience to his squad ahead of their return to the third tier.

Carlton Palmer on George Dobson’s move to Wrexham

With 144 matches under his belt for Athletic - many of which as captain - Dobson is no stranger to the rigmarole of a Football League season, and will add plenty of steel and experience in the middle of the park for the 23/24 League Two runners-up.

The Welsh side already have plenty of ability in the engine room as it stands, although ex-England international Palmer believes the arrival of the former Sunderland man showcases what Parkinson’s side will be aiming towards in the 12 months to come.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: “This is a real statement of intent, Wrexham are hoping to add another promotion next season.

“The Addicks wanted to keep him, and Phil Parkinson has come out and said that they’re very strong in midfield, but they’re expecting a tough season next season, and they need quality.

“Dobson is one of those that rarely gets injured, plays a lot of football, has been captain of Charlton. A very, very combative, good midfield player, it’s another bit of good recruitment from Wrexham in their quest to go again next season and get promotion.

“He’s a bullish midfielder, and Parkinson talks about his leadership qualities, he’s a great character to have in the building, and he’s captained Charlton before.

“So it’s a great bit of business, he’s got plenty of experience in League One, racking up 265 appearances with clubs such as Charlton, Walsall, Sunderland and Wimbledon, so to sign the West Ham academy graduate is an impressive bit of business by Wrexham.”

Wrexham can challenge the likes of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town in League One promotion race

Dobson becomes Wrexham’s third signing of the summer, as he enters the Racecourse behind Arthur Okonkwo and Lewis Brunt, who both joined on permanent deals earlier in the summer.

Okonkwo [pictured] played a major part in the Red Dragons’ League Two promotion campaign last time out, with a number of assured performances between the sticks, while defender Brunt also got out of the fourth tier with Mansfield Town while on loan from Leicester City.

Now with the arrival of Dobson added to the mix, Palmer believes the side owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can be pushing the sides relegated from the Championship in the race for promotion next season.

He continued: “Can they rival the likes of Birmingham and Huddersfield Town? Well, they’ve got the momentum of two back-to-back promotions, so when you’ve got that momentum and you bring in good players, then you’re going to have the opportunity to go on and do well again next season.

“I expect Birmingham to be very, very strong, but I would expect Wrexham to also be pushing at the top end of the table.”