Wrexham Closing in on Permanent Signing of Issa Kabore
Wrexham are closing in on the permanent signing of Issa Kabore from Manchester City, tying down one of last season’s key performers as they gear up for a second crack at the Championship.
The Burkina Faso right-back, who operated as an all-action wing-back under Phil Parkinson, became a crowd favourite during his loan spell in 2025-26. He played 32 times in all competitions and produced eight assists in the league – more than any other Wrexham player.
From serial loanee to permanent fixture
For Kabore, this move would finally end a long and fragmented chapter at Manchester City. Signed from Mechelen in 2020, he never played a senior game for the Premier League champions, instead living life on the road: Mechelen again, Troyes, Marseille, Luton Town, Benfica, Werder Bremen and then Wrexham, all on loan.
Seven temporary moves. No Etihad debut. Now, at 25, a permanent exit is almost done.
Wrexham saw his value quickly. Kabore announced himself in style on his debut, delivering two assists in a wild 3-2 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road. That night set the tone: relentless running, constant width, and end product from the right flank.
He became a mainstay in Parkinson’s XI until a hamstring injury on international duty with Burkina Faso during the November break stalled his momentum. The setback kept him sidelined for his club, but he returned on the biggest stage available to him.
Kabore made his comeback at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, pulling on the Burkina Faso shirt once more and adding to his growing tally of caps – he now stands at 55 for his country. Once fit, he slotted straight back into Wrexham’s side in the second half of the season and again played a prominent role in their push up the table.
Parkinson builds around his wing-backs
Parkinson’s summer business underlines how central the wing-back positions are to his plan. Kabore’s imminent arrival follows the signings of full-back Danny Imray, goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and midfielder Ben Whiteman, as Wrexham quietly reshape the spine and the flanks of their squad.
The manager still wants more. He is keen to further strengthen his wing-back options and is also open to bringing in a centre-back and an attacking midfielder before the 23:00 BST transfer deadline on 1 September. On the opposite flank, Wrexham are interested in left-back Jacques Ekomie from Angers, a move that would give Parkinson genuine depth on both sides.
The pressure to get it right is real. Last season Wrexham finished seventh in the Championship, a remarkable return in their first second-tier campaign for 43 years, but also a reminder of how close they came to the play-offs.
Kabore’s permanent signing signals intent: this is no one-season sightseeing tour in the Championship. This is a club trying to plant roots.
Next up is Birmingham City at the Racecourse Ground on Friday night (20:00 BST). Under the lights, with a new-look squad taking shape and Kabore on the brink of becoming theirs for good, Wrexham’s ambitions for the season ahead will start to come into sharper focus.
