Wrexham’s John Rooney joins Guiseley on loan after contract talks break down

Pic: Charlie Waugh

JOHN ROONEY has left Wrexham to join National League rivals Guiseley on loan after the Dragons were unable to get the midfielder to agree on a new deal.

Rooney, brother of Manchester United star Wayne, joined the north Wales club in the summer from cross-border rivals Chester.

He had scored 12 times in 36 appearances and was one National League start away from triggering a clause in his contract over an extension.

Boss Dean Keates was keen for Rooney to sign a new contract and avoid the clause with the Dragons’ top scorer kept on the bench in recent weeks.

However, with both parties unable to agree on a new deal to keep Rooney at the Racecourse next season, he has been allowed to leave for the rest of the current campaign on loan.

He has been snapped up by Guiseley, who will know all about his quality after the midfielder scored twice against them in Wrexham’s 3-1 win over the Lions two weeks ago.

Rooney is in line to make his debut against Sutton United on Tuesday night and his arrival is a massive boost to a Guiseley side currently sat in the relegation places.

Wrexham boss Keates said: “It’s obviously disappointing and I thought we might have come to an agreement last Tuesday, but next thing I knew we had phone call from his agent saying he wasn’t going to accept it.

“It carried on for a few more days, touched base again with his agent, saying would we be interested in a loan, although something I had not considered. A few hours later and we had an offer.

“We thank him for what he has done with us, especially over the past few weeks, when we have picked up some decent results, but now wish him well for his future career and move on.

“If we weren’t going to get the position of getting him back on the pitch, then if someone was going to take over his contract, with a few bits and pieces on the side, then it was a no-brainer.“