Transfers
MERCATO
OFFICIEL
Issa Kaboré seals permanent switch from Manchester City to Wrexham
The Burkina Faso international completes a full transfer to the Welsh club after a productive loan spell in the Championship.
Issa Kaboré has sealed a permanent transfer from Manchester City to Wrexham, converting a productive loan spell into a long-term move. The 25-year-old defender, who spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Wrexham, will now sign his future with the Welsh club on a permanent basis. His arrival adds experience and creativity to a back line pushing for promotion.
At a glance
- Age 25, position: Defender, nationality: Burkina Faso
- Move: Permanent transfer from Manchester City to Wrexham on 2026-08-26
- Loan spell produced 29 Championship apps, 8 assists and a 6.96 rating
Career context
Kaboré's route to Wrexham has been defined by a series of developmental loans, each building his profile across Europe. He began his senior journey away from Manchester City in 2020, joining KV Mechelen on loan, then moved to Estac Troyes in 2021. A 2022 loan took him to Marseille, followed by spells at Luton and Benfica in 2024. His most recent loan, starting 2025-09-01, brought him to Wrexham, where he impressed enough to earn a permanent deal announced on 2026-08-26.
During that loan, Kaboré became a regular in the Championship, starting 27 of his 29 league appearances and playing 2,182 minutes. His delivery from wide defensive areas contributed eight assists, and his duel success rate sat at 51% (124 of 248 duels won). He also featured in the FIFA Club World Cup for Manchester City, making two appearances and registering two assists with a 7.00 rating.
His international experience includes duty with Burkina Faso, where he featured in the Africa Cup of Nations and its qualification campaign, adding defensive stability at the continental level.
How he fits at his new club
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
Wrexham's back line benefits from a defender comfortable stepping into possession and progressing play. Kaboré's passing profile — 586 Championship passes with 26 key passes — suggests he can function as a ball-playing defender or wing-back, capable of launching attacks from deep. His 32 successful dribbles out of 84 attempts show he is not purely a positional defender; he engages one-on-one and retains the ball under pressure.
Tactically, his 8 assists in 29 Championship games indicate an eye for the final pass, particularly from wide areas. The data shows 38 successful dribbles and 36 successful take-ons, reinforcing his ability to carry the ball forward. At 1.80m and 77kg, he offers a physical presence in duels, winning 51% of his challenges.
Recent numbers
Across the 2025 season, Kaboré accumulated 40 appearances in all competitions, logging 2,583 minutes. His overall output included 10 assists and a 6.94 average rating. Defensively, he recorded 49 tackles, 33 interceptions and 7 blocks, while drawing 47 fouls — a sign he positions himself aggressively to disrupt opposition attacks.
In the Championship specifically, his 8 assists and 6.96 rating across 29 games were key drivers of Wrexham's attacking rhythm. His two yellow cards in that spell suggest discipline within an aggressive defensive framework.
Key takeaways
- Kaboré's permanent move follows a successful loan that saw him become a starter in the Championship
- His 8 assists in 29 league games highlight his creative value from a defensive role
- A 6.96 rating and 2,182 minutes played demonstrate reliability and consistency
- His experience across France, Germany, Portugal and England gives him adaptability for Wrexham's project
| Metric | Loan spell (Championship) | Overall 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 29 | 40 |
| Assists | 8 | 10 |
| Rating | 6.96 | 6.94 |
| Minutes | 2,182 | 2,583 |