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National League Wrexham have signed Charlton Athletic defender Eoghan O'Connell for an undisclosed fee.

Cork-born O'Connell joined Celtic in 2011 and has also had spells at Bury and Rochdale before joining Charlton in the summer on a three-year deal.

The 27-year-old has made 17 League One starts for Charlton this season.

"It's a club on the up. It's an exciting part of the season to come in," O'Connell said.

"The ambition of the Club, with the manager and players here, is obviously promotion so I'll throw myself in and see how I can contribute to it."

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is keen to strengthen defensively due to injuries to Jordan Tunnicliffe and Aaron Hayden.

The centre-backs were injured early on in Sunday's thrilling 3-3 draw with Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round.

"I'm very pleased, Eoghan is a very strong signing for us, we had the disappointment of losing a couple of players over the weekend, but it was important we acted quickly," Parkinson said.

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Goalkeeper Rob Lainton has signed a one-year contract extension with Wrexham until at least the end of the 2023/24 season.

The new deal includes an appearance-related extension for a further season.

Lainton, 33, made his first league appearance in 11 months on Tuesday having recovered from a career-threatening wrist injury.

"I'm really pleased to have signed my contract extension," he said.

"The supporters were great with me on my return to the team, and after a difficult year I'm really looking forward to extending my stay here at the Racecourse Ground."

Cheshire-born Lainton first signed for Wrexham on loan from Port Vale in 2018, with the deal being converted to a permanent move four months later.

In March 2022 he dislocated a wrist during a National League game at Bromley prompting fears that he would not be able to play again.

"We're pleased Rob has signed a contract extension for another year," said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

"He's had a long road back from his injury, but he's always kept his spirits up - even when he's not been in the team, he's been an excellent squad member and it's been good to see him back to his best."

Wrexham have signed Solihull Moors winger Ryan Barnett for an undisclosed fee subject to league approval.

The 23-year-old joins the National League promotion chasers until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Barnett began his career at Shrewsbury Town, and helped Solihull Moors reach the National League play-off final last season - which they lost to Grimsby.

"I know what a huge club Wrexham is and I knew I couldn't turn that chance down," said Barnett.

"You look at the quality Wrexham have, and the strength in depth, it's something I really wanted to challenge myself with.

"The goal is promotion. Simple as. I want to come in and give my best, but the main aim is to get this club back to where they want to be."

Barnett has also spent time on loan with AFC Telford United and Gloucester City.

"I'm pleased to welcome Ryan to the club," said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

"He's an exciting young player and will be a strong addition to the first-team squad."

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Wrexham have signed Barrow striker Billy Waters for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old, who has scored nine goals in 32 League Two games for Barrow this season, has signed a deal with Wrexham until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Waters started his career at Crewe and has also played for Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town, Torquay United and FC Halifax Town.

"It happened quite quickly but I'm happy to get it finalised," he said.

"The gaffer has brought me in to add quality to the team and hopefully help win promotion and to be part of that is massive."

With top scorer Paul Mullin troubled by a knee injury which will be looked at in the summer, manager Phil Parkinson said: "We were looking for another striker and Billy fits the criteria for what we were looking for.

"I thought he was excellent last year for Halifax. I've watched him a lot and he always looks dangerous around the penalty box and got 17 goals for them last season.

"Strikers are so important, you can never have enough in the building and Billy is ready to make a contribution."

Former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster has come out of retirement to sign for National League Wrexham.

Foster, 39, called time on his playing career in September 2022.

But the eight-cap player has rejoined Wrexham, who he played for on loan in 2005.

He has signed a deal with the north Wales club, who are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, until the end of the season.

"I'm over the moon," said Foster.

"I've been at the club an hour this morning and it seems a really nice place. 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."

Foster was a youngster at Stoke City when he played for Wrexham on loan 18 years ago, and was spotted by then Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He joined United in 2005 and spent five years at Old Trafford - although that spell included two seasons on loan at Watford - and played 23 games for the Red Devils, twice helping the club win the League Cup.

Foster moved to Birmingham for a two-year spell in 2010, winning the League Cup again in his first season before spending the second on loan at West Brom, who then signed him in the summer of 2012.

He spent six campaigns at The Hawthorns before rejoining Watford in 2018 and made the most recent of 519 senior career appearances in the club's final home game in the Premier League last season.

Foster made his international debut in 2007 and made his final England appearance in a group stage dead rubber against Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup.

This week Wrexham lost keeper Rob Lainton to a knee ligament injury. He has been the club's first choice keeper since February.

"We're delighted to welcome Ben to the club," said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

"With Rob Lainton getting injured it was important we had all bases covered going into the last part of the season, which this signing ensures."

Wrexham are three points clear at the top of the National League table and also announced the signing of Barrow striker Billy Waters on Tuesday.