Paul Mullin, the iconic striker who has become synonymous with Wrexham AFC's meteoric rise through the English football leagues, is embarking on a new chapter in his career. The 30-year-old forward has joined League One side Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan for the 2025-26 campaign, pending the necessary clearances from the English Football League and the Football Association.
Mullin’s journey with Wrexham has been nothing short of remarkable. Since signing from Cambridge United in 2021, he has amassed an impressive 110 goals in 172 appearances across all competitions. His goal-scoring prowess was a vital component in Wrexham’s historic achievement of three successive promotions, elevating the club from the National League to the Championship. This feat made Wrexham the first team in the top five tiers of English football history to accomplish such a streak.
However, the 2024-25 season was a challenging one for Mullin. After undergoing surgery on a long-standing back injury during the summer of 2024, he found his playing time limited. He started only nine league matches and made 17 additional appearances from the bench, scoring five goals in 32 outings across all competitions. Despite his reduced role, Mullin contributed to Wrexham’s promotion to the Championship, a testament to the team’s collective strength.
Wrexham’s manager, Phil Parkinson, expressed his support for Mullin’s move, stating, “I’d like to wish Paul all the best for his loan move. 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.” Parkinson’s comments underline the club’s understanding that Mullin’s loan could reignite his career and provide him with the consistent playing time he craves.
On the other side, Wigan Athletic’s head coach Ryan Lowe welcomed the arrival of Mullin with enthusiasm. “I am delighted that we’ve managed to sign Paul. He’ll be a great addition to the group and is a player who is a proven goal scorer in the EFL,” Lowe said. “He has won promotion in his last three seasons with Wrexham AFC and will add firepower, know-how, and experience to the group, which is really important. Paul is here because he is hungry to score more goals, win games, and contribute to Wigan Athletic Football Club. He is the type of character we want in the dressing room, and his experience will help support the team on and off the pitch.”
Mullin himself shared his excitement for the move, speaking to Wigan’s official website: “I’m excited for the next part of my story. The Gaffer has outlined his plan for the season, and I’m hoping to take his trust into the season and make it a really successful one. As a player, I give absolutely everything and work as hard as I can. I’ve scored a lot of goals over the last few years, but more than anything, I give my absolute all for the club that I’m playing for, and I’m going to do that again with Wigan.”
His move to the Brick Community Stadium marks a significant transition after a period of reduced influence at Wrexham. Last season, Mullin was often sidelined in favor of forwards like Jay Rodriguez, Sam Smith, Steven Fletcher, and Jack Marriott. This shift in selection reflected the challenges Mullin faced returning from his back surgery and the tactical choices of head coach Phil Parkinson.
Beyond his on-field exploits, Mullin has become a cultural icon in Wrexham and beyond. His close relationship with the club’s Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has elevated his profile internationally. Notably, Mullin even made a cameo appearance in the 2024 blockbuster film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” alongside Reynolds. Rob McElhenney once described Mullin as “one of the greatest football players in the world,” and the striker has been hailed as the most famous footballer in the United States not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mullin’s footballing roots stretch back to his youth spells at Liverpool and Huddersfield Town. He made his senior debut with Morecambe in 2014 and went on to play for Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers, and Cambridge United before his transformative move to Wrexham. His goal-scoring exploits have been central to Wrexham’s back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One, and his leadership helped the club achieve promotion to the Championship last season, even if his personal role was more limited.
As Mullin prepares to don the Wigan Athletic jersey, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if he can recapture the form that made him a legend at Wrexham. His hunger and determination remain evident, and Wigan will be counting on his experience and goal-scoring ability to bolster their attack in a competitive League One season.
The loan deal not only offers Mullin a fresh start but also provides Wigan with a proven talent eager to make an impact. For Wrexham, it represents a temporary parting with a club legend who has left an indelible mark on their history. With the season ahead promising fresh challenges and opportunities, Paul Mullin’s next chapter is set to be a compelling story for football fans to follow.
