'An insane valuation for a Championship side': Ryan Reynolds cashes in on 'best bet' in British football history

Wrexham's celebrity owners have sold a minority stake in their on-the-rise football club as an astonishing rags to riches fairytale story continues.

The deal, which was announced this week with no terms disclosed, includes investment by Apollo Sports Capital - a US-based private equity firm - in the redevelopment of Wrexham's stadium and the surrounding area of the small city in Wales.

The town and club was brought to fame when Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac bought it in 2021 and helped create a popular docuseries about the community.

Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League

Under the deal, Reynolds and Mac remain in control as the majority shareholders in Wrexham, who have won three consecutive promotions under the pair's ownership and sit 12th in the second-tier Championship this season, three points adrift of the playoffs.

Reynolds and Mac spent about $4 million when they purchased Wrexham.

Bloomberg this year claimed that the club is worth up to $700m.

READ MORE: 'Bittersweet' moment for Aussie quick pushing for Test spot

READ MORE: Bunnies face nervous wait as fresh club joins bidding war

READ MORE: Kiwi bowler suffers gruesome injury in diving effort

"Five years, four seasons of Welcome to Wrexham and three promotions later, that initial outlay might just be the best bet anyone put on a football team - and their own star quality - in British football history," analyst Matt Slater wrote for The Athletic.

"Until recently I would have said £350million is an insane valuation for a Championship side, particularly one without parachute payments to pad their numbers, but Ipswich Town announced a similar investment from sophisticated American investors last week, so what do I know?

"What I would suggest, though, is that Ipswich's value does not rely on the continuing involvement of two very famous actors. It is hard to think of a sports team with higher "key person risk" than Wrexham."

NEW PODCAST! Premier League legend Jermain Defoe joins Added Time to break down the 2026 World Cup draw and Mohamed Salah's bombshell interview

Before this season Wrexham, the oldest club in Wales dating to 1864, hadn't been in the second division since 1981-82.

"From day one, we wanted to build a sustainable future for Wrexham Association Football Club. And to do it with a little heart and humour," Wrexham ownership said in a statement distributed by the club.

"The dream has always been to take this club to the Premier League while staying true to the town. Growth like that takes world class partners who share our vision and ambition, and Apollo absolutely does."

Reynolds and Mac sold a stake in the club last year to a different investment group, also based in the United States.

Apollo recently bought a majority stake in Spanish club Atletico Madrid, a deal expected to be finalised early next year.

"I think it's really positive news for the club. It helps the club moving forward and building a sustainable club for the future," Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said.

"It's a great, positive story. Everybody's looking forward to working with the new investors. Everything stays the same football-wise, but Michael (Williamson, CEO) has kept me informed over the last few weeks.

"I was aware that there was something going on a while ago. Michael rang me on Sunday saying 'just to let you know, it's going to be announced' and he gave me a bit of context which enabled me to inform the staff.

"It's about putting those building blocks in place for the short and long-term.

"This is another step towards that. We're a club that's building all the time, on and off the pitch, and this is another step in that direction."