Wrexham will NOT appeal move for striker Luke Armstrong
Wrexham will NOT appeal against Luke Armstrong decision after EFL rejected club record deal for striker as Hollywood-backed League Two side failed to get documents filed before 11pm on deadline day
- Wrexham’s club record move for Luke Armstrong collapsed on deadline day
- Armstrong had agreed to join but paperwork was filed too late, EFL say
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off
Wrexham have abandoned their bid to sign Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong after the EFL rejected the move and apologised to the player and his club for not completing the transfer.
The Sky Bet League Two club, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, agreed terms with the 27-year-old on deadline day, with paperwork submitted for his signing.
However, the EFL stated relevant documentation was not submitted on time.
Wrexham responded to that statement by announcing they were ‘actively collating all the relevant information regarding a potential appeal against the decision’, but Armstrong will now stay in North Yorkshire.
Wrexham’s statement read: ‘Having reviewed the additional information received from the EFL and considered this in the context of the submission of the documents for the transfer of Luke Armstrong from Harrogate Town, the club have determined there is no reasonable chance of success if we were to appeal the EFL’s decision to reject the transfer.
Luke Armstrong will have to return to Harrogate after the EFL rejected his Wrexham move
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‘Now this decision has been made, we wish to apologise to Luke as we were unable to complete the transfer by the deadline and Harrogate Town, who we are sure will be as disappointed as we are that the transfer will not now be completed in this window.
‘The club will be reviewing the circumstances and processes that have led to this outcome with all the relevant parties.’
Wrexham’s club record move for Armstrong dramatically collapsed after paperwork was not submitted before the 11pm deadline on Friday.
In a move that is believed to have been in the region of £500,000, Armstrong had accepted a switch to North Wales on deadline day following interest from MK Dons.
The 27-year-old went on strike last month in a bid to force his way out of Harrogate but had to return to the club after the EFL ruled his switch to Wrexham void.
‘The registration of Luke Armstrong from Harrogate to Wrexham has been rejected on the basis of the paperwork not being submitted by the necessary deadline,’ an EFL spokesperson told Mail Sport.
It means Wrexham’s deadline day business ended up with Millwall defender George Evans and a loan move for young Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
It is a bitter blow for Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson as he thought he had a new striker signed
‘Wrexham AFC can confirm terms were agreed to sign Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong on Transfer Deadline Day, with paperwork submitted for his signing,’ Wrexham’s statement read.
‘Unfortunately, the required documentation and clearance requests could not be completed in time and his registration has been rejected. As a result, Luke remains a Harrogate Town player.’
It added: ‘The Club would like to thank the player for choosing to join Wrexham earlier in the day and are disappointed that this cannot now happen. No further comment will be made at this time.’
Wrexham have made a mixed start to their first season back in the EFL, with two wins, three draws and one defeat in their first five matches.
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