Player to join Wrexham AFC who was previously wanted by Leeds United and Coventry City | OneFootball

Wrexham have signed former Bristol City and Leicester City midfielder Matty James

Experienced midfielder Matty James is set to sign for League One high-flyers Wrexham on an initial short-term deal which will last until January.

That's according to the Mail Online, who report that the Red Dragons have secured the free agent's services in an effort to provide cover for fellow midfielder George Evans, who has undergone surgery following ankle ligament damage, while both Andy Cannon and George Dobson are both just one booking away from facing a suspension.

The Welsh outfit, who are co-owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, sit second in the League One table, four points behind league leaders Birmingham City, and are unbeaten in three games after drawing 0-0 with Huddersfield Town following back-to-back victories over Rotherham United and Northampton Town.

On Saturday, Phil Parkinson's men lock horns with Nathan Jones' Charlton Athletic, who are also unbeaten in three games, and sit in 11th but just one point below the play-off spots.

As per the Mail Online, Championship duo Coventry City and Leeds United were interested in the 33-year-old's services after he left Bristol City following the expiration of his contract at Ashton Gate, which epitomises his class.

Furthermore, James made 37 second tier appearances for the Robins just last season, which demonstrates that he is a Championship quality player, and it is a real coup from the League One Red Dragons to have secured his services, especially given the fact that he spent the second half of the 2020/21 season with the Sky Blues, who were recently linked with him, while Leeds are vying for a place in next season's Premier League.

James was a Leicester City player from 2012-2020, and made 35 appearances as the Foxes won promotion from the second tier to the Premier League in 2013/14, and went on to make 27 league outings in 2014/15 as his former club secured their top-tier status.

However, he remained absent throughout the entirety of the Foxes' previously unfathomable Premier League title winning season of 2015/16 through injury.

But his wealth of experience would be an invaluable addition to a Red Dragons squad who are pushing for a third consecutive promotion, and the Welsh side could be subsequently keen on handing him a longer-term deal beyond January, should James perform at the sort of level we can expect to see from him.

Given the fact that he was a Championship regular just last season, there is every chance that the 33-year-old could emerge as one of the best midfielders in League One upon joining the Red Dragons.

James move could be sign of things to come at Wrexham

The men from the Racecourse Ground have achieved the impressive feat of back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One, and have subsequently proven themselves to be one of the best outfits in the third tier during the early exchanges of the season.

And as the weeks go by, the Red Dragons are becoming ever more aware of the prospect that next season could bring Championship football to north Wales.

Albeit on an initial short-term deal, the signing of James indicates that the Red Dragons are intent on bringing second tier quality players to the Racecourse Ground, which shows how determined they are to achieve yet another promotion.

While the former Robins man is a free agent, his signature could be a sign that Wrexham are prepared to make big money signings in January in an effort to land a place in the Championship.