Former West Brom and Birmingham City man makes surprise mid-season transfer for new challenge

Former West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City goalkeeper Ben Foster has come out of retirement to make a surprise return to football, signing for National League leaders Wrexham AFC. The 39-year-old announced he would be hanging up his boots in September of last year but he has made a shock return.

Wrexham were struck with a serious injury to first-choice goalkeeper Rob Lainton and had to look for a replacement for the rest of the season. Foster, who played for the Welsh outfit on loan at the start of his career, welcomed the opportunity with open arms to sign a short-term deal until the end of the current campaign.

“I’m over the moon,” Foster said upon arrival to the Racecourse Ground. “Everyone is down to earth and the manager’s top class. It’s changed a lot since I was last here, but it’s nice to be back and it’s nice to be back as a player too. It will be interesting to see how my body feels after training today! I’m looking forward to getting started,” Foster continued.

West Brom was the club the goalkeeper spent his longest at, with 211 appearances between 2011 and 2018 before signing for Watford. Many thought that the Leamington Spa native had finished his career with The Hornets in 2022 but he is back for more, joining up with the side owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.