Wrexham closing in on move for Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson

Wrexham poised to add experienced goalkeeper to Championship squad

Wrexham are believed to be on the brink of signing goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from Sunderland, a move that would immediately reshape options between the posts at the Racecourse ahead of the new Championship season.

Sources suggest Patterson, 26, is due to undergo a medical with the Reds and would become their third incoming signing in the close‑season build‑up to the league campaign. If completed, the transfer would see Wrexham strengthen a position that manager Phil Parkinson has been keen to bolster.

Career to date and recent playing time

Patterson is a product of Sunderland's academy and made his senior debut in the EFL Trophy in 2020-21. He then progressed to the league side the following season and spent the opening half of 2021-22 on loan at Notts County. He subsequently played a significant role for Sunderland, making 169 competitive appearances for the club across several seasons.

He helped Sunderland secure promotion via the League One play‑offs and was a regular in the side for a period. However, last season Patterson saw his opportunities limited after the arrival of Robin Roefs, featuring once in the early League Cup tie against Huddersfield before moving on loan to Millwall in January, where he made 16 appearances, including both Championship play‑off semi‑final legs against Hull City.

"It seems his time at Sunderland... has come to an end and he is closing in on a move to Wrexham," an account of his situation has indicated.

What the move would mean for Wrexham

If Patterson completes the transfer, it is likely to affect the standing of current goalkeepers at the club. In particular, it could pave the way for Arthur Okonkwo to move on from the Racecourse. Okonkwo has been part of Wrexham's recent promotion-winning sides and featured as first choice earlier last season after Danny Ward suffered an elbow injury, before Ward returned towards the end of the campaign.

Wrexham's recruitment in the close season has been measured; the club have added players selectively following a significant squad overhaul the previous summer. Bringing in an experienced goalkeeper with Championship experience would be consistent with Parkinson's stated desire to sharpen competition for places across the squad ahead of a demanding league programme.

• Incoming: Anthony Patterson (26), from Sunderland — medical reportedly imminent
• Possible consequence: Arthur Okonkwo might depart to find regular starts
• Context: Patterson faced Wrexham in pre-season action in Philadelphia and has recent Championship and play-off experience

Timing and next steps

The timing of any confirmation is pertinent: Wrexham travel to newly promoted Cardiff City for the Championship opener on Monday 17 August, and Parkinson will be aiming to have his squad finalised and prepared for a testing start to the campaign. A medical arranged before that fixture would allow the club to register Patterson and integrate him into training with the first team.

Supporters at the Racecourse will be watching closely. Goalkeeping remains a critical area in the division and the arrival of a keeper with consistent senior experience could be seen as a pragmatic move to help the club establish itself among strong Championship competition.

For now the move remains subject to final checks and paperwork. If completed, it would mark another notable addition to Wrexham's squad as the club prepares for its second successive campaign in the second tier of English football.