MATTY JAMES admits it was a "shock" being without a club heading into the 2024-25 season but the midfielder is determined to make the most of his opportunity with Wrexham.

A product of the Manchester United academy, James left Bristol City at the end of last season and was a free agent before arriving at The Racecourse last month on a short term deal until January.

The 33-year-old made 104 appearances for City in three Championship campaigns, scoring four goals, and previously enjoyed a long spell with Leicester City were he was a promotion winner and was with the Foxes when they won the Premier League in 2016.

But despite being vastly experienced, James believes age was a barrier when it came to finding a new club before Phil Parkinson turned to him to provide cover in the Reds' midfield and the aim now is to try and impress so he extends his stay in north Wales.

"It was a bit of a shock in the summer with how many games I played last year to not getting the club that I wanted, or even an offer from Bristol City in the first place," said James.

"I think a lot of it is due to age unfortunately but there is not a lot I can do about that!

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"The people running these clubs, it is their money and it is their club but I kept working hard.

"Leicester allowed me to train with them so I am very thankful to them for allowing me to do pre-season with them.

"Now the aim is to give everything I possibly can to Wrexham from now until January and see what happens.

"I am going to do that every single day; give my all every time I get on the pitch, give 100 per cent and we will see where that takes us come January."

Back-to-back promotion winners Wrexham are flying high in League One and James, who made his debut in last Tuesday's EFL Trophy group game against Port Vale, is grateful he has been given the chance to not only get back playing football at a decent level but with a club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

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"It is going really well," added James.

"I am really lucky to be given that opportunity with where the club is at.

"I was thinking it was going to be January whether something would drop, Wrexham asked me to come in and I was absolutely buzzing because they are at the top end of the division and everybody knows the ambition is there.

"For me it is about playing football but having played as many games as I did in the Championship, it was about something that still excited me and somewhere that wants to move forward.

"I think a lot of players who are playing for Championship clubs now would love to have the opportunity to come and play for Wrexham.

"It is an opportunity for me and I am going to try and grab it with both hands."