Wrexham hero hints he's been forced out as he posts emotional goodbye after promotion to the Championship

One of Wrexham's promotion-winning heroes has made an emotional statement on social media announcing that he will be leaving the 'magical' club, stating it was 'not by choice'.

The Welsh side reached the Championship at the end of another fairy tale campaign since the takeover by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, their third on the bounce.

Having spent 15 seasons in the fifth-tier of domestic football, Wrexham have moved straight from League Two, into League One, and have now secured their place in the Championship for next term.

However, one of the key figures in their miraculous rise posted a surprise farewell on Instagram late on Thursday night.

Steven Fletcher scored eight times this term but found himself consigned to the bench for the vast majority of the season as his influence waned on the pitch, with Sam Smith the club's preferred choice through the middle.

'It’s with a heavy heart, and not by choice, that I unfortunately have to announce my departure from what I can only describe as the most magical club I have ever played at!' he wrote.

Veteran striker Steven Fletcher took to Instagram to announce he will be leaving Wrexham

The 38-year-old scored eight goals this season but was unable to break into the starting XI

Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds (right) have overseen a third straight promotion

'In my 22 years of stepping onto a pitch, I have never experienced anything like this club.

'I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to come here and fall back in love with the game! To have had the experiences and the opportunities that this club has given me has been just incredible. And this group of lads are the best that I have ever shared a changing room with.

'It’s not just a team or a changing room. This group of boys, fans and staff have been my family for the past two years.

'You welcomed me with open arms and open hearts and made me feel like I had a purpose again.'

Naturally, the rapid progression through the ranks has necessitated plenty of overhaul in personnel with each year, with the club needing to adapt to the demands of a new league perhaps quicker than expected.

Stars of previous campaigns, like Paul Mullin for example, have found themselves losing their role as a key figure as Wrexham seek to move up the ladder as quick as possible.

Reports have already claimed that the Welsh outfit are preparing for life in the Championship by looking one step further and trying to attract Premier League talent to the club.

Wrexham have already made an approach for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, according to The Telegraph, although discussions are still in the early stages.

Fletcher joined Wrexham at the start of last season on a free transfer and earned promotion from League Two

He credited the club with helping him to 'fall back in love' with football at the age of 38

Wrexham hope to sign Fulham captain Cairney in the summer window in a show of ambition

The 34-year-old has been at Craven Cottage for a decade and has captained the west Londoners since 2017, but will be out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to depart.

In the case of Fletcher, his departure from Wrexham comes towards the end of a long career in the game, having featured for teams like Sunderland, Marseille, Wolves and Burnley, including 189 games and 53 goals in the Premier League.

His farewell continued: 'To my team-mates - you are family! I have never experienced a dressing room like it in my career, and I can’t believe I don’t get to walk in there every day next season.

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'To the staff - thank you for your time, your dedication, and your faith in me.

'And to the fans - thank you for taking a risk on an old Scottish man and making him feel like this was his home the memories will last forever!

'Wrexham as a club and a town and as people, will have a place in my heart that will never be replaced!!

'And to Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds - Thank you! For the opportunity, the support , the joy that being a part of this club has brought me!'