Sheffield Wednesday player features: 3 ideal Paul Mullin replacements Wrexham AFC should consider signing | OneFootball

Three names that could step up and replace Wrexham AFC legend in the Championship

Wrexham AFC have temporarily parted ways with a club legend in Paul Mullin and now comes the difficult task of replacing his massive contributions.

On Monday, what many had anticipated was made official on the club website as the Welsh side loaned Paul Mullin to Wigan Athletic for the season. While it was an expected move, it’s a bittersweet one for “Super Paul”, Red Dragon supporters and the club, as the striker has made arguably the biggest contribution to this team since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their purchase of the club in February 2021.

Phil Parkinson, who made the unpopular decision of leaving him out of the squad in the final couple of months of last season, told Wrexham’s official website: “It’s a good opportunity for him to get back to playing regular first-team football, and I’m sure he’s going to be a great signing for Wigan Athletic.”

Mullin, for his part, tweeted to his team: “All the best this season! Keep the train rolling.”

His contract with the Red Dragons expires in June 2027, but he will not get to take part in this side’s first Championship campaign since 1981-82, when it was known as the Second Division.

Mullin has temporarily left as the club’s seventh-highest all-time goalscorer, tallying 110 times in 172 appearances.

Even though he had just five goals in 32 appearances for Wrexham in 2024-25, Mullin produced many incredible moments for the club that no one will ever forget.

Finding someone to fill his massive shoes next season will be no easy task, but here are three names that the Red Dragons should consider as Mullin replacements next season.

Joe Gelhardt

His goalscoring numbers aren’t close to Mullin’s at Wrexham, but there is still a lot to like about Joe Gelhardt. The Liverpool-born player has over 100 caps combined in the Premier League and Championship, but at 23 still has room to grow. He spent last season on loan with Hull City from Leeds United.

Once compared to Wayne Rooney, he’s a solid left-footed attacker whose versatility could come in handy for Phil Parkinson as he can play as a lone striker, a secondary one or out wide.

When you often play two league fixtures a week, injuries are bound to happen, and Wrexham know that better than most given the amount of walking wounded they had in League One a season ago.

Gelhardt’s got some strong defensive attributes and plenty of technical ability, particularly dribbling the ball. He may not have as much hulking strength as Mullin, but he’s got sneaky good intelligence to find space in the box.

He also has the stamina to play in the Championship, and would be a nice luxury to have for Parkinson, who could use his versatility to plug several holes in the squad throughout the season.

Callum Robinson

He led Cardiff City in Championship goals last season with 12, but it wasn’t enough to save them from relegation.

The 30-year-old, born in Northampton, is under contract with the Bluebirds until 2027, but Robinson has spent nearly a decade in either the first or second tier of English football. Whether it be a loan move or a permanent one, likely the former, you can expect him to be one of many Cardiff players seeking a new home, temporary or not, next season.

The Ireland international showed some ruthless finishing in front of goal for the worst team in the Championship last season, but he’s also been a consistent provider, with five or more assists in four different Championship campaigns.

He’s not as strong in the air as Mullin, but is a solid dribbler, with good vision and a pass accuracy of over 77% domestically per FotMob in 2024-25. Like Mullin, though, he’s got plenty of other skills besides finding the back of the net and, at 30, still has plenty left to give. He’s got the experience at this level and the ruthlessness that Wrexham need to compete in the Championship.

Michael Smith

In May, The Star reported that as many as 13 players could leave Sheffield Wednesday. While Michael Smith wasn’t on that list, the 33-year-old could, like many of his teammates, be eager to leave the Owls, who are in an unstable time now.

Back in January, The Mirror linked Smith with Wrexham for a potential move during the winter transfer window. While the Red Dragons decided to add another Smith instead, there’s a possibility Michael may move on loan or for a transfer fee, with his current contract set to expire in June 2026.

Smith has made over 150 Championship appearances in his career, scoring eight or more goals in three seasons at that level and netting in double-digits in League One goals on four occasions.

Smith has a strong aerial presence, winning over 60% of his duels in the air last season per FotMob (63.1%) while also winning 71.4% of his tackles. At 33, he possesses similar strength and power to Mullin with plenty of calmness and patience in the opposition’s penalty area.

He can chip in with goals and take a lot of pressure off Sam Smith’s shoulders in the attacking third with his power and strength.

Smith also knows what it’s like to be the new team in the Championship, helping Rotherham United and the Owls make the leap from League One to that level.

Not only can the Wallsend born striker contribute, but he’d be a valuable insight to many players at Wrexham who’ve never experienced Championship football and won’t understand just how big a step-up it is from League One.