Wrexham snapped up Issa Kabore on transfer deadline day, adding further competition to Phil Parkinson’s options at right wing-back.
Wrexham enjoyed a strong deadline day as Phil Parkinson added three more signings to his ranks.
Those late additions mean Wrexham completed 13 summer signings after sealing promotion from League One.
Ben Sheaf, Issa Kabore and Dominic Hyam capped off a busy summer window, with all three additions set for big roles.
Sheaf and Hyam not only bring major Championship experience, but they were even teammates at Coventry City.
Then there is Kabore, who arrives at Wrexham on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City.
Ryan Longman in action during Wrexham AFC v Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship clash.
Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images
Two Wrexham stars facing a battle with Issa Kabore
Kabore brings some high-calibre experience with him – and that goes beyond simply being on the books at City.
The Burkina Faso international has previously spent time with Marseille, Benfica and Werder Bremen, as well as playing Premier League football with Luton Town.
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Kabore struggled for regular first-team football last season and will be looking to nail down a spot in the Wrexham starting line-up.
The deal to sign Kabore is an interesting one, as Wrexham already have two right wing-backs battling it out at the STōK Cae Ras.
Ryan Barnett and Ryan Longman have been sharing the workload in 2025 and looked set to continue that dynamic in the Championship.
Barnett has started two Championship games this season, with Longman coming in to start the other two.
Parkinson has now thrown a curveball by signing Kabore on transfer deadline day.
City and Kabore will both expect plenty of first-team action this season, especially after a disappointing campaign last term.
Many will now expect Kabore to become Wrexham’s first-choice right wing-back, and leave one of Barnett or Longman on the bench – and the other in the stands.
Barnett only signed a new contract last season after a dazzling start to the League One season, while Longman joined Wrexham in January.
Neither would have expected to be sitting behind another right wing-back inside a year, but Kabore’s arrival leaves both of them in danger of dropping down the pecking order.
Ryan Barnett and Ryan Longman have one advantage over Issa Kabore
Longman’s versatility to play on the left flank may come in handy over the season, but both he and Barnett are facing increased competition.
Wrexham’s wing-backs are expected to offer width, drive at defenders, hit the byline and fire plenty of crosses into the box.
Barnett and Longman have both excelled in that regard, and their attacking returns show how important they have been under Parkinson.
In just 27 games for Wrexham, Longman has recorded seven assists, while Barnett has bagged 14 assists in 98 games since his 2023 arrival from Solihull Moors.
Kabore showed that kind of quality with Mechelen as he racked up seven assists in 34 games for Belgian side Mechelen.
However, Kabore has only recorded six assists in 103 games since leaving Mechelen.
The quality is in Kabore’s locker, but the consistent attacking threat is something Barnett and Longman have proven – and it’s now down to Kabore to follow suit.