PHIL PARKINSON says Lewis Brunt is a player with “a lot of potential” after making the centre-back his second new signing of the summer.

The centre-back has joined Wrexham from Leicester City for an undisclosed fee, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.

Brunt enjoyed a successful season-long loan at Mansfield Town in 2023-24, making 40 appearances in all competitions as the Stags secured a top-three finish in League Two to secure automatic promotion alongside runners-up Wrexham.

During his time at Leicester, Brunt made eight first-team appearances, including two in the Premier League, and he has also had two loan spells with Gloucester City since starting his career with Aston Villa but the 23-year-old will now line-up in League One for the first time in his career next term with the Reds.

Parkinson, short of centre-back options after the likes of Ben Tozer, Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe were released at the end of last season, feels Brunt has got a bright future and he is delighted to get his man despite interest from other clubs.

“Obviously with the players that have left us, it is an area we needed to strengthen and Lewis is a player who we have known for a while in his Leicester days,” said the Reds’ boss, who made goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo his first new signing.

“He is a good young player with a lot of potential.

“Leicester had him in and around the squad for a number of years and they let him go out on loan last season.

“It was his first real taste of league football with Mansfield in terms of playing consistently; it is always interesting to see how players cope with the rigours of league football and he did really well in what was a tough division.

“He made a contribution for Mansfield and I feel he will improve for that season, and we are really looking forward to working with him.

“We think he is a player who is capable of growing with us and we are pleased to have completed his signature.”