Wrexham is on the brink of signing goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from Sunderland. Red Dragons manager Phil Parkinson has expressed his desire to add a new shot-stopper to the team and is set to acquire the 26-year-old from his former club.

Patterson is scheduled to undergo a medical examination with Wrexham and may participate in their Championship opener against Cardiff City on August 17.

The transfer could also open opportunities for Nigeria international Arthur Okonkwo, who is in the final year of his contract with Wrexham, to leave the Racecourse Ground. Additionally, Wales international Danny Ward is also nearing the end of his contract with the club.

Patterson came through Sunderland’s academy and made his senior debut in a 2-1 EFL Trophy defeat to Fleetwood Town during the 2020-21 season.

He made his league debut the following season and went on to join Notts County on loan for the first half of the 2021-22 campaign, where he played a key role in Sunderland’s promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs.

In the 2024-25 season, Patterson played 45 matches in the Championship, contributing to his team’s victory against Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley, which secured their promotion to the Premier League.

After making just one appearance for the Premier League side in the first half of last season due to being behind Robin Roefs in the selection order, Patterson spent the latter half on loan at Millwall, where he made 16 appearances across all competitions.

Having made 169 competitive appearances for Sunderland, Patterson was featured as a substitute when Regis Le Bris’ side defeated Wrexham 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Philadelphia’s Subaru Park on August 2.

Wrexham has already signed full-back Danny Imray and midfielder Ben Whiteman this summer. However, following their recent 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the first round of the Carabao Cup, Parkinson acknowledged that there is still work to be done regarding the squad.

“We feel we’re not where we need to be yet and we know that,” he said.

“We’re working, as ever, to make sure that the squad is as strong as it needs to be in what is going to be an incredibly competitive division. We’re under no illusions about that. We’ve got to make this squad so strong and we are working tirelessly to bring those extra players in to give everybody a boost.”

Wrexham are closing in on the signing of goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from Sunderland.

Red Dragons boss Phil Parkinson has been eager to add a new shot-stopper to his ranks and is now poised to capture the 26-year-old from his former club.

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Patterson is due to have a medical with Wrexham and could be in line to be involved for their Championship opener at Cardiff City on 17 August.

The switch could potentially pave the way for Nigeria international Arthur Okonkwo – who is in the final year of his contract with Wrexham – to leave the Racecourse Ground.

Wales international Danny Ward has also entered the final year of his contract with the club.

Patterson is a product of Sunderland’s academy and made his senior debut for the Black Cats in a 2-1 EFL Trophy loss to Fleetwood Town in 2020-21.

He made his league bow in the following season and, after joining Notts County on loan for the opening half of the 2021-22 campaign, he helped Sunderland gain promotion into the Championship via the League One play-offs.

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In 2024-25, Patterson featured 45 times in the Championship as his side beat Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley to gain promotion into the Premier League.

Having featured just once for the top-flight side in the first half of last season after falling behind Robin Roefs in the pecking order, Patterson spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Millwall.

He featured 16 times across all competitions for the Lions.

Patterson – who has made 169 competitive appearances for the Black Cats – featured as a substitute for Sunderland as Regis Le Bris’ side beat Wrexham 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Philadelphia’s Subaru Park on 2 August.

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Wrexham have already added full-back Danny Imray and midfielder Ben Whiteman to their ranks this summer.

But speaking ahead of his side’s 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the first round of the Carabao Cup, Parkinson said there was still work to be done on the squad.

“We feel we’re not where we need to be yet and we know that,” he said.

“We’re working, as ever, to make sure that the squad is as strong as it needs to be in what is going to be an incredibly competitive division.

“We’re under no illusions about that. We’ve got to make this squad so strong and we are working tirelessly to bring those extra players in to give everybody a boost.”