Wrexham sign Crystal Palace defender Danny Imray on four-year deal

Updated: 44 minutes ago

Image caption: Danny Imray joined Crystal Palace from Chelmsford City in 2021

Wrexham have completed the signing of Crystal Palace defender Danny Imray.

The versatile full-back — who can also operate at right wing-back — has signed a four-year deal with the Championship club.

Imray, 23, had loan spells with Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion last season and becomes the Red Dragons' first signing of the summer transfer window.

"We're pleased to welcome Danny to the club," said manager Phil Parkinson.

"He's got an interesting story, with how he's worked his way up from non-league to the Premier League, and is a young player with potential."

Parkinson confirmed Imray linked up with the Red Dragons in America ahead of their pre-season fixture against Liverpool in New York on Thursday (00:30 BST).

Background and Career Path

Imray never made a senior appearance for Palace, although he has gained plenty of experience at first-team level elsewhere:

• 2021: Immediately loaned back to Chelmsford City after securing a permanent switch to Selhurst Park.
• 2024–25: Made 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals, during a season-long loan spell with Bromley.
• 2025–26 (first half): Loaned to League One side Blackpool.
• 2025–26 (January onward): Joined Championship side West Brom, featuring 17 times in all competitions — including a 2-2 draw with Wrexham at The Hawthorns in April.

Imray on Joining Wrexham

"First and foremost, I think where this club is going, it's definitely on an upward trajectory," said Imray.

"It's just everything about the club really – everything behind the scenes. I've watched Welcome to Wrexham and it's not just a football club that wants to do well on the pitch, but one that wants to do well off the pitch too.

"The community means a lot to the club, and I think that's such a good way to be because without the fans, the clubs are nothing.

"There were loads of things that enticed me to come here, but the club want to be in the Premier League and after speaking to the gaffer it's just such an exciting project to be a part of."

Squad Planning and Further Transfers

Parkinson has been determined to bolster his wing-back options following Issa Kabore's return to parent club Manchester City after his loan spell at the Racecourse Ground last term.

Having made 13 first-team signings last summer on the back of securing automatic promotion from League One, Parkinson will not be making wholesale changes to his squad before the 2026–27 campaign.

However, a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a central midfielder and a forward are all potential additions alongside Imray.

Speaking after his side's 3-2 pre-season victory over Premier League Leeds United in Florida, manager Parkinson said:

"We know the gaps we feel we have in the squad, and we're trying everything we can to fill them.

"People might wonder why it's taken so long, but sometimes it does for various reasons.

"One reason is a few of the players we've looked at have been at Premier League clubs who've had players away on World Cup duty, and they've then wanted younger players to be in and around their squads at the start of pre-season."

Related Topics

• Football
• Wrexham
• Welsh Football
• Championship
• Crystal Palace

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