Wrexham’s club-record acquisition of Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong has abruptly fallen through because the necessary documentation was not sent in by the deadline of Friday at 11 p.m.
Armstrong agreed a transfer to North Wales on Deadline Day in a move that is said to have cost in the neighborhood of £500,000 due to interest from MK Dons.
Armstrong went on strike last month in an effort to get out of Harrogate, but the EFL declared his transfer to Wrexham void, so he will now have to come back.
According to an EFL representative who talked to Mail Sport, “the registration of Luke Armstrong from Harrogate to Wrexham has been rejected on the basis that the paperwork was not submitted by the necessary deadline.”
It means that Wrexham’s deadline-day transactions resulted in the loans of teenage Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and Millwall defender George Evans.
According to a statement from Wrexham AFC, “terms were agreed upon to sign Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong on Transfer Deadline Day, with paperwork submitted for his signing.”
“Unfortunately, his registration has been denied because the necessary paperwork and clearance requests could not be finished in time. Luke continues to play for Harrogate Town as a result.
The statement continued, “The Club would like to thank the player for making the decision to join Wrexham earlier in the day and are disappointed that this cannot now happen (pending any appeal).” At this time, no more comments will be made.
The news was made five minutes before the start of Wrexham’s League Two match against Tranmere Rovers.
With one victory, three ties, and one loss through their first five games, Wrexham’s return to the EFL has been uneven.