Cardiff City striker Mark Harris has signed for National League Wrexham on a season-long loan.
Wales Under-21 international Harris, nicknamed ‘Sparky’, has previously spent time on loan with Newport County and Port Vale.
“Cardiff City rang me to say Wrexham were interested a couple of weeks ago,” said Harris. “I spoke to the gaffer (Bryan Hughes) and felt it was the right move.
“I’m happy the move has been completed early. I get in and among the lads.
“Wrexham is a great club and I want to do well for this club and the fans.
“I am an attacking player who loves to create goals and score goals.
“I’ve heard National League football is physical, but I gained experience in League Two with Newport and Port Vale. I feel I understands what it will be like and how tough it’s going to be.”
The 20-year-old can play up front or on the wing and has also been capped at under-17, under-19 and under-20 level.
Swansea-born Harris is a product of Cardiff’s academy, having joined the Bluebirds at the age of seven. He signed his first professional contract in 2016.
Harris will wear number 29 shirt for Wrexham and manager Bryan Hughes stated: “He’ll fit in well to our system. He can play across front three and he is an exciting talent.
“He’s had two loan spells at League Two level, including a really good loan at Newport County, where Michael Flynn spoke very highly of him.
“A big thank you to Cardiff for letting him come. I’m looking forward to seeing him in a Wrexham shirt.”
Harris has made three first team appearances for Cardiff, making his debut as a substitute in Cardiff’s 2-1 FA Cup third round defeat against Fulham in January 10 days after his 18th birthday.
Manager Neil Warnock named him in his starting line-up for the Bluebirds’ clash against Wigan and Harris played almost an hour of the goalless draw against the Latics at the DW Stadium.
Manager Michael Flynn was delighted with Harris when he played for Newport, saying: “Mark is a young, exciting player.
“He’s a good finisher, makes intelligent runs, and is very quick.
“He also shows hunger and appetite that I love to see in a player.”
Wrexham’s pre-season fixture against Fleetwood Town is two be played at Poolfoot Farm, Butts Butts Road, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 4HX. The new venue is four miles from Fleetwood.
A second phase of work at the Racecourse, where the match was originally due to be played, has been delayed because of bad weather and the pitch will not be ready in time.
Work will be completed in time for the visit of Stoke City.
Wrexham FC pre-season fixtures
June
Saturday 29 v Cefn Druids (away at the Rock, 3pm)
July
Friday 5 v Fleetwood Town (away, Poolfoot Farm, Thornton Clevelys, 6pm)
Tuesday 9 v Portimonense SC v Wrexham (Estádio Municipal de Portimão, Portugal, 7pm)
Saturday 13 v AFC Telford United (New Bucks Head, 3pm)
Wednesday 17 v Stoke City (home, the Racecourse, 7pm)
Saturday 20 v Curzon Ashton (Tameside Stadium, 3pm)
Saturday 27 v Crewe Alexandra (home at the Racecourse, 3pm)
Wrexham AFC’s first team squad numbers for the 2019-20 season:
1 Rob Lainton
3 James Jennings
4 Manny Smith
5 Shaun Pearson
6 Jake Lawlor
7 Luke Summerfield
8 Luke Young
9 Mike Fondop
10 Devonte Redmond
11 Bobby Grant
12 Jason Oswell
13 Mark Carrington
14 Paul Rutherford
20 Akil Wright
21 Christian Dibble
22 Matthew Sargent
24 Doug Tharme
25 Jack Thorn
29 Mark Harris
30 JJ Hooper
35 Leighton McIntosh