Ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster admits wages at Wrexham are ‘literally peanuts’

Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster risks the wrath of his new Wrexham team-mates by insisting he’s signed for ‘PEANUTS’ wages – while admitting he can’t wait to speak to co-owner Ryan Reynolds because ‘Van Wilder is one of my favourite films’

Ben Foster has raised eyebrows by labelling his wages at new club Wrexham ‘literally peanuts’.

The former England goalkeeper signed for the fifth-tier National League side on a free transfer on Thursday.

Veteran Foster, 39, worked in punditry after announcing his retirement in September following his Watford exit in June 2022 but has now re-started his playing days on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

The eight-cap international has turned down offers from Premier League sides Tottenham and Newcastle, but the prospect of promotion to the Football League with the Hollywood-backed side proved too much of a temptation.

And on The Fozcast, which boasts 175,000 YouTube subscribers, Foster added he can’t wait to speak to co-owner and A-list actor Ryan Reynolds – because comedy film Van Wilder, in which Reynolds played the titular character, is his favourite movie.

Ben Foster has raised eyebrows by labelling his wages at new club Wrexham ‘literally peanuts’

The former England international, 39, who retired in September after leaving Watford last summer, joined the promotion-chasing National League side on a free transfer on Thursday

The former England international, 39, who retired in September after leaving Watford last summer, joined the promotion-chasing National League side on a free transfer on Thursday 

Foster joins the side owned by Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds

On 'Fozcast - The Ben Foster Podcast', which has 175,000 YouTube subscribers, he revealed he can't wait to speak to co-owner, actor Ryan Reynolds, because Van Wilder is his favourite film

On ‘Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast’, which has 175,000 YouTube subscribers, he revealed he can’t wait to speak to co-owner, actor Ryan Reynolds, because Van Wilder is his favourite film

He said: ‘Nine months after I retired, I’ve gone and gotten the gloves out of the garage, I’ve blown the dust off the boots, because I’ve signed for a football team. We first heard about it from goalkeeping super-agent Richard Lee.

‘He said: “Ben – Wrexham, what are you thinking?” That injury (to first-choice goalkeeper Rob Lainton) happened on Saturday, we’re recording the podcast on the Wednesday, I’ll be going to training Monday morning.

‘I don’t need much (money) – to be honest, the negotiations took about five minutes. Wages wise, it’s literally peanuts… the part for me is getting the team over the line and getting them promoted. I’m a very low maintenance player – just wheel me out, I’ll do a job.

‘Apparently Ryan (Reynolds) is going to give me a call later today! Van Wilder is one of my favourite films! Buzzing to talk to him later. They (owners Reynolds and Rob McElhenney) are so prevalent at the football club, they are always there. it’s not like a plaything, they want to be a part of it.’

Foster, who also carried out matchday ‘vlogs’ (video blogs) with a GoPro camera in the back of his net while playing, admitted he was exploring the possibility of reintroducing them.

His move comes just a month after Tottenham failed to lure Foster to north London as cover for injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. 

The former Premier League star, who carved out fruitful spells at Manchester United, Birmingham, West Brom and Watford, will return to the Welsh side for the first time in 18 years, having previously played there on loan in 2005.

Foster will now fight to secure Wrexham’s promotion back to football league, with the Welsh side currently sitting at the summit of the table on 94 points, three ahead of Notts County in second.

He will team up with Hollywood owners Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right) in Wales

He will team up with Hollywood owners Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right) in Wales

Foster earned eight England caps and made one appearance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Foster earned eight England caps and made one appearance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

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