Wrexham icon set for awkward return after just two starts on loan at EFL club

Wrexham legend Paul Mullin will be returning to the club this summer following his loan spell at Bradford City.

The striker played a leading role in the club’s Hollywood rise from non-league all the way up to the Championship.

Sean Troup

He scored over 100 goals across his first three campaigns, which saw the Welsh side incredibly climb up to League One.

But things went downhill for Mullin in the third tier, as he massively struggled for game time and only scored five goals while the Red Dragons went on to go up again without needing his impact.

And due to his minutes drastically dropping and Wrexham spending big chunks of money on other forwards, he left the club following their third-straight promotion.

A loan to Wigan came in June 2025, as owner Ryan Reynolds sent an emotional parting message to one of the club’s icons.

However, that didn’t go well either, as after scoring just five goals in 26 games, he was recalled and then sent to Bradford.

Mullin’s second loan spell of the season somehow went worse than the first though, as he didn’t score a single goal.

He only made nine appearances for the Bantams, starting twice.

His last game for the club came in April, before they went on to reach the League One Play-Offs, losing to Bolton across two legs.

Mullin didn’t play a part in either game, and now his future was confirmed in a statement on Monday afternoon.

Bradford released their retained list, confirming that the 31-year-old would be returning to his parent club, Wrexham.

Lindsey Parnaby

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An awkward return

So, Mullin will be back in Wales for the summer, with his Wrexham contract still having a year remaining.

But things may be slightly awkward when he gets back to join his teammates and manager Phil Parkinson.

He had already spoken openly of his frustration about his exile from the Red Dragons squad when leaving for Wigan last summer.

And he did so again when signing on loan for Bradford, potentially leading to some awkward conversations on his return.

Mullin said in February, following his move: “It’s something I’ve found quite challenging over the last 18 months.

“It [the lack of game time] was sort of out of the blue, after everything that I’ve done, and then getting surgery.

“I’m never going to accept it, what happened, because it’s something that I find quite tough, but that’s football and you move on.

“I’ve got an opportunity now at a massive club to be successful here and write another chapter in my career.

“I just want to play games and be successful. I don’t really feel like I’ve got anything to prove.”