Wrexham have signed an artist in their quest for Vanarama National League promotion success.
Scottish forward Leighton Mcintosh, a former Dundee, Arbroath and Airdrie player, is an avid artist and who showcased his colourful work at an exhibition at Nethergate, Dundee under his designer name, Geckor Design.
McIntosh, who has signed a one-year contract with Wrexham, says he gained most of his creativity from watching cartoons as a child and he bases his work on the much-loved characters he enjoyed as a youngster.
“I have been into art since my school days,” says McIntosh. “That was always my favourite subject and I would go home and create art by myself as well.
“It is a passion that has never really died and now I am really excited that I can create my art alongside football.
“When I was growing up I was really into cartoons. I am quite a positive, happy person too so the work really suits my personality.
“It is a strange one doing both painting and football, but they are my two favourite things and I am lucky that I get to do both
“I think if you had asked my team-mates before they wouldn’t have expected me to be into art but they are now all incredibly supportive.”
Dundee-born McInnes held his exhibition in conjunction with Firegarden Art Media creative director Derek Welch, who says: “Leighton is incredibly talented. He has such an interesting journey from footballer to self-taught painter.
“Leighton has such an interest in creating the cartoons that he grew up watching. His art appeals to an audience that watched the same cartoons such as SpongeBob SquarePants.
“He creates his canvas work using acrylic paints and also produces digital artwork which is then printed on to canvas.”
McIntosh, 26, signed for Wrexham from Scottish League One team Airdrie, where he scored 17 goals in 41 games last season.
He had been expected to sign a new contract with Airdrieonians, but instead the former Scotland Under-19 cap has opted for the Racecourse Ground.
“It’s a really good opportunity for me, I’m over the moon,” McIntosh told the club website.
“It’s a new challenge for me coming down from Scotland and I’m really looking forward to getting started.
“I can play out wide or through the middle as a striker and I like to get on the end of the last defender. I’m sure I can cause a lot of problems for opposition.”
The Dundee-born striker had a spell playing for second-tier team UMF Selfoss and scored one goal in five appearances before the season ended and he returned to Scotland.
“I’d always wanted to play in another country ever since I was young,” said McInnes.
“I went for it head on and signed to the end of the season – which wasn’t nearly as far away as I thought!
“It was a small town, but football was everything there. The standard was good, too. We played some of the teams at the top of our league and they were really good quality.”
Wrexham have also signed former Manchester United player Devonte Redmond from Salford City. Redmond, now aged 22, spent 16 years at Manchester United before being released by manager Jose Mourinho.
Winger Paul Rutherford, Mark Carrington, goalkeeper Rob Lainton and left-back James Jennings have signed new contracts with Wrexham.
Carrington is Wrexham’s longest serving player having made well over 200 appearances for the Dragons since he joined in 2013.
The Warrington-born player joined Wrexham as a midfield player, but has capably filled in at right-back and left-back during the past few seasons as well has playing a ‘number 10’ role.
Centre-half Doug Tharme has also agreed a new 12-months deal, while fellow teenagers and Academy graduates Matty Sargent and Jack Thorn have signed their first professional contracts.
Wrexham’s retained list showed they released five players and a further five players returned to their parent clubs after loan spells.
The Dragons will play Portuguese Primeira Liga side Portimonense SC during their pre-season visit to the Algarve, Portugal.
Portimonense finished 12th in the Portuguese top flight during 2018-19.
The fixture is set to take place at their home ground, the 9,544 seat capacity Estádio Municipal de Portimão located in the centre of the town of Portimão.
The match will be held on Tuesday, July 9 (7pm).
Entrance to the stadium will be ‘cash on the turnstiles’ and Wrexham AFC will confirm the entry prices in due course.
Pre-season fixtures:
Wrexham have arranged a number of pre-season matches. They take on Cefn Druids, Fleetwood Town, Telford United, Stoke City, Curzon Ashton and Crewe Alexandra.
Matches
June
Saturday 29 v Cefn Druids (away at the Rock, 3pm)
July
Friday 5 v Fleetwood Town (home at the Racecourse, 7.30pm)
Tuesday 9 v Portimonense SC at Estádio Municipal de Portimão (7pm)
Saturday 13 v Telford United (away at New Bucks Head, 3pm)
Wednesday 17 v Stoke City (home at the Racecourse, 7pm)
Saturday 20 v Curzon Ashton (away at Tameside Stadium, 3pm)
Wrexham squad news:
Nine players remain contract for 2019-20 season:
Christian Dibble
Manny Smith
Shaun Pearson
Jake Lawlor
Luke Young
Akil Wright
Mike Fondop
Jason Oswell
Bobby Grant (Player exercised option)
Signings
Devonte Redmond
Leighton Mcintosh
Players offered new contracts:
Luke Summerfield
Player to have rejected new contract
Kieran Kennedy (set to join Port Vale)
Players who have accepted a new deal:
Paul Rutherford
Rob Lainton
James Jennings
Mark Carrington
Players released:
Kevin Roberts
Chris Holroyd
Nicky Deverdics
Luke Simpson
Kemy Agustien
Players who were on loan have returned to parent clubs:
Stuart Beavon
Brad Walker
Anthony Spyrou
Cole Stockton
Jermaine McGlashan
Invited back for pre-season training:
Leo Smith