What Wayne Rooney said about Lewis O'Brien as star leaves Nottingham Forest for Wrexham | OneFootball

Wayne Rooney was full of praise for O'Brien upon his arrival to the MLS.

Wrexham have completed the signing of ex-Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O'Brien.

The Terriers youth graduate struggled to break into Steve Cooper and then Nuno Espírito Santo's Premier League starting XI during a frustrating three-season spell at the City Ground, which included multiple loans away.

Two of them were in the second tier, with Middlesbrough and fellow Welsh side Swansea City respectively, whilst he also spent time across the pond playing in MLS for LAFC and firstly DC United.

It was at Audi Field where O'Brien was managed by Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney, who was glowing in his praise of the Colchester-born player upon his arrival in the American capital.

Rooney is a big fan of O'Brien

Speaking to the club's official website when he was signed in March 2023, ex-Birmingham City manager Rooney stated that "Lewis has been one of the best players in the Championship over the last few seasons."

He reads the game well and creates goal-scoring opportunities. Bringing him in on loan from Nottingham Forest was a great bit of business for us, and he will be a brilliant addition to our midfield.”

Phil Parkinson will certainly hope that he can utilise him in the same way that Carlos Corberan did at Huddersfield, where he was widely regarded by many pundits as one of the best midfielders in the division upon Town's run to the 2022 play-off final, which they of course lost to Forest.

Wrexham's transfer activity shows they mean business

Not content with having secured three promotions in a row, the Red Dragons are now building a squad that many will feel can compete at Championship level.

Ryan Hardie, Danny Ward, Liberato Cacace, George Thomason and Josh Windass have already followed O'Brien through the door - with many now wondering if the Welsh side could be on the hunt for an unprecedented feat of four promotions in a row.

And the summer of activity may not be over in North Wales, as, according to The Star, Welsh international and Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore is heavily linked with a move from Bramall Lane to the Racecourse Ground, as the Red Dragons look to replace Paul Mullin, who has dropped back down to League One in order to join Wigan Athletic on loan.