Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson allowed Arthur Okonkwo and Ryan Barnett to leave the club in pursuit of regular first-team football.
The Red Dragons gave the two fan favorites permission to leave on loan in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, with both players seeking more opportunities after falling down the pecking order at the Racecourse Ground.
Barnett, one of 10 players who won three successive promotions with Wrexham from the National League, has joined League One side MK Dons on a season-long deal. Okonkwo, who was the goalkeeper for both the League Two and League One promotion campaigns, has joined Championship rivals Charlton Athletic until the end of the season.
Both players are out of contract next summer, although Wrexham have the option to trigger an additional year in Barnett's deal. With no new contracts currently on the table, they could both become free agents when their loan spells end.
It is always difficult to see popular players leave the Racecourse Ground, but Parkinson did not want to stand in the way of two players who deserved the opportunity to play more regularly this season.
Parkinson Explains Barnett and Okonkwo Exits
Speaking to reporters ahead of Wrexham's first home match of the season against Watford, Parkinson explained the decisions behind the two latest departures.
“Starting with Ryan, he has been a really good player for us,” the Wrexham manager said. “Going back to when we signed him from Solihull Moors, we brought him in, and at times, he lit this place up with his footballing ability. He has found opportunities limited, and it is important for him now that he gets back playing.
“There was lots of interest, not as much as I thought there would be. People needed to look back, like Paul Warne has done, with his form in the first part of that League One season. I think that is what MK Dons have done, and they have got a really good signing in Barney.
“Also, Barney with the group has been really good when he wasn't in the team last year. In preseason, we had lots of chats about his situation, but he has not moaned once at all. He was happy to be patient, wait for the right opportunity and make sure he has trained properly and given himself the best chance at MK Dons.
“Arthur obviously wanted to continue being a No. 1, and Charlton have given him that opportunity. That is a deal that suits all parties. Arthur has been a brilliant player for us, and we will never forget when we signed Arthur in League Two, how hard we worked to bring him to the club. Another really good lad, he has come back from a couple of serious injuries along the way and really stood up to be counted when it mattered most.”
Every Senior Wrexham Summer Transfer Exit
| Player | Decision | Current club |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Brunt | Sold | Bolton Wanderers |
| Ryan Barnett | Loan | MK Dons |
| Tom O'Connor | Released | Peterborough United |
| Paul Mullin | Released | Rotherham United |
| Andy Cannon | Released | Fleetwood Town |
| Arthur Okonkwo | Loan | Charlton Athletic |
| Ryan Hardie | Loan | Bolton Wanderers |
| Mo Faal | Loan | Port Vale |
| Jay Rodriguez | Released | N/A |
| Reuben Egan | Released | N/A |
