Wrexham sign Burkina Faso stars Issa Kabore & Jacques Ekomie from Man City & Angers

Wrexham Association Football Club has strengthened its squad for the Championship campaign with the dual signings of right wing-back Issa Kabore from Manchester City and left-back Jacques Ekomie from French side Angers.

Burkina Faso international Kabore returns to the Racecourse Ground on a permanent three-year contract following a successful loan spell during the 2025-26 season. The deal for the 23-year-old defender is worth up to £4.75 million, with Manchester City retaining a 20 percent sell-on clause alongside matching rights. Kabore featured 32 times for Wrexham last term, recording a team-high eight assists in the Championship despite missing time due to a hamstring injury sustained on international duty.

Kabore expressed his enthusiasm for returning to north Wales, stating that the team's ambition is to get to the Premier League and he is there to fight for that promotion. Manager Phil Parkinson welcomed the return of the 55-cap international, who previously completed loan spells at Marseille, Luton Town, Benfica, and Werder Bremen without making a senior appearance for Manchester City.

Complementing the addition of Kabore, Wrexham secured Gabon international Ekomie on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The left-back was in the final year of his contract at Angers and had reportedly attracted interest from West Ham United and German club Hamburg. Ekomie established himself in Ligue 1 last season, making 32 league appearances and starting 25 matches.

Ekomie called the move an ambitious project and stated his desire to bring his experience to help the team achieve its goals. Parkinson noted that the club worked very hard to complete the transfer for the promising defender and expressed confidence in integrating him into the squad.

The arrival of Ekomie provides crucial depth on the left side for Wrexham. New Zealand international Liberato Cacace, who joined from Italian club Empoli, has faced persistent injury problems, starting just eight league games last season and missing Wrexham's opening matches of the current campaign. Midfielder George Thomason had been forced to play as a makeshift wing-back in Cacace's absence.

The two defenders bring Wrexham's total summer intake to five senior recruits, joining right wing-back Danny Imray, goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, and midfielder Ben Whiteman. Parkinson indicated Wrexham could still explore additional midfield and attacking options before the transfer deadline, while Chief Executive Officer Mike Williamson emphasized that the club's strategy has focused on acquiring quality over quantity.

Wrexham return to Championship action on Friday night when they host Birmingham City at the Racecourse Ground.

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