MANAGER Andrew Thomas has made his first signings of the summer and is delighted to have captured defender Wes Baynes from Connah's Quay, Steve Tomassen from Tamworth and Steff Edwards from Newtown.
Baynes, 28, worked his way through the academy and scholarship scheme at Wrexham to the first team ranks and went on to make 74 appearances for the Red Dragons. After a loan spell with Altrincham, he joined his hometown club Chester, before moving to AFC Telford United in July 2013.
After a loan spell at Colwyn Bay, Baynes signed for the Nomads in September 2015 and made 55 (+3) Welsh Premier appearances, scoring three goals and also the crucial winner that took his side into Europe for the first time last year, at the expense of the Wingmakers in the Europa League play-off final. He played in all four of the Nomads' European ties last season.
Tomassen returned to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium on-loan from the Lambs in January, having spent a full season on-loan with Airbus in 2012/13 while at Wrexham.
A Chester-born product of Wrexham's Centre of Excellence who made his senior debut in the last league game of the 2010/11 season at Luton Town, he was a regular in the Reserves throughout his two-year apprenticeship, Tomassen was rewarded with the offer of a professional contract in 2012 and was loaned to the Wingmakers in August 2012, where he made 28 Welsh Premier appearances, scoring six goals.
He was nominated for Welsh Premier young player of the season and was voted Airbus player of the season as he helped the club qualify for the Europa League for the first time.
Tomassen made a total of 43 appearances for Wrexham and featured in the FA Trophy final defeat to North Ferriby, before following his former manager Andy Morrell to Tamworth in search of regular first team football and scoring four goals for the Lambs from his eight appearances in the National League North in the first half of season 2016/17.
Edwards, 27, is a former Wales Under-18 international who signed for Cefn Druids in August 2008 after previous experience with Gresford Athletic, moving to Welshpool in July 2009, Aberystwyth Town in August 2010 and then Bala Town in June 2011.
He spent three years at Maes Tegid before joining Newtown in June 2014 and has scored nine WPL goals from a total of 175 (+39) appearances, also making four full appearances for the Robins in their Europa League campaign in 2015.
Retained players
Meanwhile, remaining with the club are stalwarts Ryan Edwards and Ashley Williams, as well as young player of the season Jake Hulley.
The club's all-time record holder for WPL appearances with 214 (+4), Edwards returned last summer and was voted players' player and supporters' player of the season. Formerly with Flint Town United, Cefn Druids and Halkyn United, he first joined Airbus in season 2006/7 and went on to win Wales Under-23 semi-professional honours, before leaving for Bangor City in August 2012.
A Manchester City youngster from the age of 14, Williams played for West Cheshire League Division 1 side Upton Athletic Association after his release by the Blues. He joined Airbus from Vauxhall Motors in July 2008 and became an influential member of the side, winning two Wales Under-23 semi-pro caps, before leaving to join Chester in January 2011. After three successful years, he returned to the Airfield in January 2014, and has scored five goals from his 141 (+6) league appearances.
Youngster Hulley impressed during his first season after joining from Tranmere Rovers and made 17 (+3) WPL appearances.
