Wrexham Nears Permanent Signing of Issa Kabore from Manchester City
Wrexham are closing in on the permanent signing of Issa Kabore from Manchester City, turning last season’s standout loan into a long-term bet on a player who transformed their right flank.
The Burkina Faso international became a key pillar of Phil Parkinson’s side in 2025-26, making 32 appearances in all competitions and driving Wrexham’s charge to a seventh-place finish in their first Championship campaign for 43 years. From wing-back, he produced eight assists in the league – more than any other Wrexham player.
For Kabore, 25, the move would finally end a long, winding association with Man City that never quite reached the Etihad pitch. Seven loans, zero senior appearances. Now, at Wrexham, he looks set to find a home.
From instant impact to injury setback
Kabore announced himself in style. Thrown straight in on his debut at Carrow Road, he delivered two assists in a 3-2 win over Norwich City, immediately showing why Wrexham had pushed to get the deal over the line on transfer deadline day last September.
From there, he barely left the team sheet. Operating as an attacking wing-back on the right, he provided width, energy and a steady stream of chances, quickly becoming one of Parkinson’s most trusted players.
Then came the break.
On international duty with Burkina Faso in November, Kabore suffered a hamstring injury that stalled his momentum and left a sizeable hole in Wrexham’s system. He spent weeks on the sidelines, watching as others tried to replicate his influence down the flank.
His return came on the international stage. Kabore made his comeback for Burkina Faso at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, shaking off the rust before rejoining Wrexham and re-establishing himself as a regular in the second half of the season.
End of the Man City road
Kabore’s journey to north Wales has been anything but straightforward. City signed him from Mechelen in 2020, then immediately sent him back to the Belgian club on loan. Troyes, Marseille, Luton Town, Benfica and Werder Bremen followed in a carousel of temporary moves.
Despite that, a first-team appearance for Man City never arrived. Every season brought another loan, another country, another system to learn.
Wrexham changed the pattern. The move last year offered regular football, a clear role and a manager who built a structure around his strengths. Now, with a permanent deal close, Kabore is finally set to cut ties with the Etihad for good.
Parkinson’s rebuild gathers pace
Parkinson has wasted little time reshaping his squad for another crack at the Championship. Full-back Danny Imray, goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and midfielder Ben Whiteman have already arrived, with Kabore’s permanent signing viewed as a priority piece of business.
The manager wants depth and competition in the wing-back areas, and Kabore’s consistency and attacking output make him central to that plan. Parkinson is also weighing up moves for a centre-back and an attacking midfielder before the 23:00 BST transfer deadline on 1 September.
On the opposite flank, Wrexham are pursuing left-back Jacques Ekomie from Angers as they look to balance the threat on both sides of the pitch.
All of this comes against the backdrop of a club still adjusting to life back in the second tier. Last season’s seventh-place finish was impressive; this season’s task is tougher. Consolidate, then push.
The next chapter starts on Friday night at the Racecourse Ground against Birmingham City (20:00 BST). If Kabore’s permanent switch is completed in time, the player who once bounced from loan to loan could walk out not as a visitor, but as one of the cornerstones of Wrexham’s ambitious new era.
