Former England international goalkeeper Ben Foster has joined Wrexham on a short-term deal. The 39-year-old shot-stopper came out of retirement to re-join the National League club. Previously, Foster played 21 total matches for the team in 2005 while on loan from Stoke City.

Wrexham approached Ben Foster after keeper injury

“I’m over the moon,” proclaimed Foster after signing the new contract. “I’ve been at the club an hour this morning and it seems a really nice place. Everyone is down to earth and the manager’s top class.”

“It’s changed a lot since I was last here, but it’s nice to be back and it’s nice to be back as a player, too. It will be interesting to see how my body feels after training today! I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Wrexham are currently leading the National League table by three points over Notts County. The team’s No. 1 keeper, Rob Lainton, recently picked up a knee injury that will keep him out for around six weeks. Lainton missed months of action earlier in the season due to a wrist injury, as well.

Keeper returns to the Welsh club after 18 years

Foster, a former Manchester United keeper, spoke about his previous time with Wrexham 18 years ago.

“The first time I was here, it was genuinely the springboard to the rest of my career – on the back of the loan move, playing in the LDV Vans Trophy Final at the Millennium Stadium. I got my move to Manchester United at the start of the next season. It was absolutely bonkers!”

“If you’d told me 18 years ago that I’d have gone on to have the career that I have had, I probably wouldn’t have believed you to be honest so I do owe a lot to Wrexham.”

Foster will now enter the fray with just eight matches remaining in the schedule. If they can finish top of the league, Wrexham earn automatic promotion to League Two. They could also eventually be promoted through a round of playoffs if they finish second in the National League.

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