Ben Foster signs for Wrexham six months after Newcastle snub

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Wrexham have completed a deal to sign Ben Foster, something Newcastle United failed to do back in September.

Foster has come out of retirement to sign a deal until the end of the season with the Non League side, with Wrexham suffering from injury in between the sticks.

Backup stopper Rob Lainton is set for a spell on the sidelines, forcing the Welsh side to make a move for Foster. That is despite the fact the 39-year-old announced his retirement last year, after his Watford contract came to an end.

But Foster is back in professional football, and has signed a short-term deal with the stars of Disney Plus documentary Welcome To Wrexham.

They have gone from strength to strength since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club, and now they have signed a former England international.

It is a huge coup, as Foster is an amazing goalkeeper. In the words of his former manager Nigel Pearson, he is ‘exceptional‘.

Ben Foster turned down Newcastle move back in September

Wrexham have done what Newcastle could not. They have managed to sign Foster. The Magpies tried to do that at the start of the season, but were unable to.

Eddie Howe’s side found themselves in need of a goalkeeper back in September, shortly after the transfer window had closed.

Karl Darlow picked up an injury in training, meaning Newcastle needed to turn to the free agent market to bring in an emergency stopper. The choices were limited, with Loris Karius eventually coming in. He has made one appearance so far – just the small matter of the Carabao Cup final. He was consoled by Amanda Staveley after the final whistle.

However, that could have been Foster had things gone differently. The former Manchester United man was also a target for Newcastle, who made a move to bring him to St James’ Park.

But Foster said no, and decided to call time on his career. He has since said that he does not regret his decision, despite the fact that he could have played in the cup final at Wembley if he had joined.

Fair play to Wrexham

Six months on from turning down Newcastle and Foster is playing once again. After rejecting the chance to represent a Premier League club, he is now going to line up for Non League Wrexham.

It is a crazy turn of events, and one that we will see play out on Foster’s YouTube channel. It is another great PR move from Wrexham, who are rarely out of the headlines nowadays. From documentaries to FIFA appearances to signing international goalkeepers, they are doing all they can to take the club forwards.

Foster did previously play for Wrexham back in 2005, and now he returns in 2023. It will be interesting to hear his reasoning for deciding to come out of retirement months after turning down a Premier League club.