GEORGE DOBSON jumped at the chance to join Wrexham just days after becoming a free agent.

The midfielder has put pen to paper on a deal keeping him at The Racecourse until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

The 26-year-old decided to leave Charlton Athletic, where he was captain, at the end of last season and was poised to complete a move to Fehérvár having signed a pre-contract agreement with the Hungarian club.

However, he had a change of heart due to personal circumstances and just 48 hours later he has been reunited with Reds' boss Phil Parkinson who he played under at Sunderland.

Explaining the events this summer, Dobson said: "I had signed a pre-contract agreement to go out to Hungary but my family circumstances changed at home and we agreed a mutual termination.

"I became a free agent and then I spoke to the gaffer who showed his interest.

"It happened really quickly, it was only 48 hours since I became a free agent.

"I had a lot of interest but when Wrexham came calling - the whole project, the way the club is going, knowing and playing under the manager before - it felt like a no-brainer for me and I am delighted to be on board.

"I am hoping to be a part of the club carrying on with the forward trajectory."

Dobson played 144 games in all competitions across the last three seasons for Charlton who had offered him a new contract but he elected to leave The Addicks who will come up against Wrexham in League One next season.

Dobson initially came through Arsenal’s youth academy, before moving to West Ham United where he switched from a centre-back to a defensive midfield role.

Although he did not appear for the Hammers, he made his professional debut on loan with Walsall before joining Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

He returned to Walsall in the January transfer window and remained in League One following moves to Sunderland, a loan switch to AFC Wimbledon and then Charlton where he was Player of the Year in 2021-22.

On the capture of Dobson, Parkinson told the official club website: “George is a great signing for us. He’s developed really well as a player and is someone we have known about for a while.

“He plays with real personality; he is a great character to have in the building and he has captained Charlton before.

“Leadership quality in the group is so important and George will certainly bring that."