Russell Penn joins Wrexham until end of season
Midfielder Russell Penn has today joined National League side Wrexham until the end of the current season as he leaves Brunton Park by mutual consent.Penn, 31, signed a one-year deal with the Blues in June 2016 and made two appearances for the club, before joining Gateshead for a three-month loan spell in September.
Manager Keith Curle said: “Russ is a great professional and a player I have a lot of time for. He has an excellent character and is completely on board with everything we are trying to achieve.
“However, he loves the game and he isn’t a player who is happy to sit on the bench. He's watched the start to the season we’ve had and he’s seen that the players in his position are going to be very hard to dislodge.
“That’s why he was keen to join Gateshead, because he’s at an age and a stage of his career where he needs to be playing. This chance has come up for him at Wrexham and I know he’ll grasp it with both hands.
“He’s joining a fantastic club with a good set-up and I’m sure he’ll give them absolutely everything. It goes without saying that he leaves here with our best wishes.”
Penn started his career as a youngster when he gained experience in the Birmingham City, Kidderminster Harriers and Scunthorpe United youth systems. He signed professional terms with the Harriers, and made over 160 appearances, which included a short loan spell with Alvechurch early in his career at the Aggborough Stadium.
His four-year stay with Kidderminster came to an end when he joined Burton Albion in 2009, but he left the Brewers just short of 100 appearances to sign for Cheltenham Town.
He was made club captain during his time at Whaddon Road but he was lured to York City during the January 2014 transfer window when they took him on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.