05 May 2023 , 14:03
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Wrexham FC's new found superstardom in America won't just be confined to the men's team if Ryan Reynolds and another Hollywood star get their way.
The National League title winning squad are currently enjoying a four day drip to Las Vegas, with their jaunt in 'Sin City' a reward from their A-list owners for sealing the title. But it won't be their only venture to the US this year, with Reynolds and Rob McElhenney having also lined up a lucrative summer tour with games against Chelsea, Man United, and LA Galaxy II.
But the club's female side is also currently basking in the glory of a successful season. They won the Adran North championship trophy in March, and then came through a play off to seal promotion to the Adran Premier. Indeed, it made last Tuesday's parade through the North Wales town a double celebration.
And now Star Wars and Thor actress Natalie Portman has lifted the lid on her talks with Reynolds over a potential clash between Wrexham women and her own team, Angel City FC. The star was instrumental as a founder member of the NWSL side in 2020 and is now a stakeholder in the California based club.
And she's not the only A-list celebrity involved in the club. Tennis legend Serena Williams and fellow Hollywood actress Eva Longoria have also invested in the team. But Portman has clearly been keeping tabs on the progress of Reynolds and co, leading to an enticing proposition.
Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video
“I’ve been lucky enough to talk [to Reynolds] about his journey, and he’s so inspirational for what he’s done with Wrexham, and they have a women’s team also," she told : "So, we have talked about kind of having some friendly matches at some point.”
Hollywood star Natalie Portman is involved with Angel City FC (Getty Images)The documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which gave an intriguing insight into how Reynolds and McElhenney set about revitalising the club, went down a storm with viewers. And Portman admitted to taking inspiration, striking her own deal with HBO for a similar production on Angel City FC.
"We want to share our playbook so that other people can learn from what we did well and what mistakes we made and have a foot forward when they do their own endeavours and build teams," added Portman. "We’re seeing it already being replicated in other cities. So, that’s been really exciting to see.”
It is perhaps of little surprise that Wrexham's appeal has grown immeasurably in the US. Reynolds and McElhenney have pointedly targeted expanding the fan base in their homeland, with new trademarked club branding now on sale in America as well as the UK.