Wrexham announce they are releasing EIGHT players, including their captain – while they are partying in Las Vegas – as Ryan Reynolds’ club get ruthless on rise up the leagues

Wrexham have revealed that a number of players, including the club captain, have been released by the club during their promotion celebrations in Las Vegas.

The Hollywood-owned side have once again celebrated their exit from League Two in Sin City, as their impressive rise up the football pyramid continues following promotion to the fourth tier last season.

Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have rewarded the team with a trip to the United States after an excellent season, but it will be bittersweet for some following the publication of the club’s retained list.

Club captain Luke Young, who has been with the club since 2018, is one of eight players released after completing their contracts, a list that also includes long throw specialist Ben Tozer.

Meanwhile, two former Premier League players will stay on, with James McClean triggering an automatic extension and striker Steven Fletcher offered a new contract.

The team has been treated to a party trip to Las Vegas by their Hollywood owners to celebrate their season

Celebrity co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds (R) decided to re-treat the squad after another historic performance

Goalkeeper Rob Lainton (right in first photo) and Ben Tozer (left), including Vegas, have been let go

The Welsh team sealed a return to League One for the first time in 19 years after finishing second in the fourth tier of English football, earning 88 points after 26 wins, 10 draws and 10 losses.

That total was not enough to win the League Two title as Stockport stopped them from becoming division champions, but Wrexham nevertheless earned promotion with a comfortable eight-point lead.

But of course, lower division clubs are faced with some tough decisions at the end of each season when contracts expire, with Wrexham announcing their retained list on Friday morning.

In addition to Young and Tozer, defender Aaron Hayden, goalkeeper Rob Lainton, defender Callum McFadzean and defender Ordan Tunnicliffe have been released.

Midfielder Owen Cushion and defender Dan Davies complete the list of players who will have to look for new clubs for next season.

Fletcher, meanwhile, is likely to sign a new deal and has been given terms to stay on alongside Mark Howard and Aaron James.

The club also revealed that a decision will be made on Scott Butler when he returns from his loan at Marine, while a number of young pros have also extended contracts.

Video footage from a Las Vegas nightclub was shared on social media on Friday, showing Wrexham’s jubilant celebrations.

A number of videos of the celebration have been shared on social media in recent days

James McClean (right), who has signed a new contract with the club, was joined at dinner on the first night by Ollie Palmer, George Evans and Jack Marriott

Club captain Luke Young will leave the club after not being offered a new contract following the expiry of his contract

However, former Premier League stars Steven Fletcher (L) and McClean (R) will remain

Tozer (R), a long throw specialist who has been released, shared a video of the players dancing in a hot tub during the four-day trip last year

McClean, who joined the club in 2023, led the celebrations and shared photos of the trip online

After winning the National League last season, Wrexham are riding a huge wave of success which was celebrated with a ‘monster’, all-expenses-paid trip to Vegas – and the players were treated to another visit as McClean shared photos of the squad which flew out.

Last year Wrexham was spotted throwing huge pool parties while soaking up the sun alongside their famous chairman McElhenney and his wife Kaitlin Olson, although Reynolds stayed away from the action.