Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has moved swiftly to address a defensive crisis, securing permanent deals for right wing-back Issa Kabore and left-back Jacques Ekomie following confirmation that George Thomason will miss 10 weeks with a thigh injury sustained in the club's recent 1-1 draw with Watford.
The two signings arrive on the eve of Wrexham's Championship fixture against Birmingham City on Friday, 28 August 2026, at 20:00 BST. According to ESPN's reporting, Kabore has joined on a three-year permanent deal from Manchester City, while Ekomie has signed a four-year contract from French club Angers.
Parkinson explained the urgency behind the acquisitions, noting that Thomason's absence leaves a significant gap in the squad's left-sided defensive options.
"Unfortunately Tommo got injured last week, and he's going to be out for 10 weeks,"Parkinson said.
"Libby's still not right so we just couldn't go into this period of the season with only Longy (Ryan Longman), who could play on the left."
Why are these signings critical?
The pair represent essential reinforcement at a time when Wrexham's defensive depth has been tested. Liberato Cacace remains unavailable, forcing Thomason into the left wing-back role until his injury. Kabore, who produced eight assists in 32 appearances for Wrexham last season before his loan ended, offers versatility across the backline.
"So they're two really important signings because Issa can play on the left as well. It's not totally natural to him, but he has done that in his career. So we needed to cover ourselves."
Ekomie arrives as a regular performer in Ligue 1 for Angers, bringing top-flight experience to the Championship. According to Sports Illustrated, Kabore's deal is structured at a base fee of approximately £2 million, potentially rising to £4.75 million with add-ons, while Ekomie's transfer is reported at around £7 million with scope for further payments. Manchester City have retained a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights on Kabore's future transfers.
What does Parkinson say about the new arrivals?
The manager expressed enthusiasm about Kabore's return to the club, emphasising the player's development and the stability a permanent deal offers.
"With Issa coming back, he was a very popular player with us last year, and I think our supporters really warmed to him,"Parkinson said.
"I think the time is right for Issa in his career to get a home now. He's had a lot of loan moves in his career, and [it's time] to really settle down and establish himself as a player. He's got great energy and personality in the way he plays and we look forward to working with him in the coming years."
On Ekomie, Parkinson highlighted the competitive process to secure his signature.
"Jacques is a similar player in many respects to Issa in the way he plays. He's someone we've been working on for quite a while and faced quite a bit of competition to bring him here. We're delighted to have got him over; he's been with us for a couple of days of training and has settled in well."
How many players has Wrexham signed this window?
Kabore and Ekomie become the fourth and fifth signings of the summer transfer window for the Red Dragons. Earlier arrivals included midfielder Ben Whiteman, goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, and right wing-back Danny Imray. This represents a significant squad rebuild after Parkinson had previously stated there were
"no guarantees"that Wrexham would add to their ranks following the Watford draw.
Could more signings arrive before the deadline?
Wrexham retain the opportunity to strengthen further before the summer transfer window closes. The deadline falls on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, at 23:00 BST, leaving approximately four days for additional business. Parkinson is understood to be targeting a forward and a midfielder to complete his squad overhaul in the final stages of the window.
However, the manager's immediate focus has shifted to the forthcoming fixture.
"We've had a busy week and obviously the work continues, but now it's focusing on the game tomorrow night and concentrating on what we've got to do,"Parkinson stated.
Key Facts
- George Thomason will be sidelined for 10 weeks following a thigh injury sustained against Watford on 23 August 2026
- Issa Kabore has joined permanently from Manchester City on a three-year deal after impressing on loan, recording eight assists in 32 appearances last season
- Jacques Ekomie arrives from Angers on a four-year contract, bringing Ligue 1 experience to Wrexham's defence
- The signings are Wrexham's fourth and fifth of the summer window, following arrivals of Whiteman, Patterson, and Imray
- Wrexham face Birmingham City on Friday, 28 August 2026, before the transfer deadline on Tuesday, 1 September 2026
