James McClean departed English football in characteristically provocative fashion on Tuesday evening, directing an obscene gesture towards Leicester City supporters during his farewell appearance at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.
The 36-year-old former Republic of Ireland international, who has completed a permanent transfer to hometown club Derry City, was paraded before the home faithful ahead of the Championship fixture.
After warmly acknowledging the Wrexham supporters who had gathered to bid him farewell, McClean turned towards the visiting Leicester contingent and raised his middle fingers with a knowing smile.
The gesture marked the conclusion of his 15-year stint in English football, during which he frequently clashed with opposition fans.
James McClean gave Leicester fans the middle finger before delivering an expletive-laden message on social media
|McClean subsequently took to Instagram to explain his actions, posting a message that left little room for interpretation.
"Thank you for send off Wrexham fans.. been class," he wrote in the first slide of photographs from the ground.
His follow-up message was rather more pointed: "To all the away fans of the years, f*** you and good riddance...it's been a laugh."
The post was accompanied by a middle finger emoji and a kissing face, underscoring the defiant tone of his departure.
Having left the jurisdiction of the Football Association, McClean is unlikely to face any disciplinary action for his parting salvo.
James McClean has previously made it clear he'll never wear a poppy | GETTYMcClean's refusal to wear a poppy on his shirt around Remembrance Sunday made him a target for sustained hostility throughout his time in England.
The abuse directed at the Irishman escalated to such severity that the EFL took the unusual step of granting him special dispensation last season.
This exemption permitted him to bypass the standard regulation requiring players to exit the pitch via the nearest touchline.
The accommodation came after a Birmingham City supporter hurled a cup of Bovril at McClean during Wrexham's visit to St Andrew's in September 2024.
His wife Erin has spoken of experiencing a "huge sense of relief" at returning home to Northern Ireland, acknowledging the emotional toll the family endured over the past 15 years.
James McClean's wife has admitted her relief that her husband is leaving England
| PAMcClean's departure brings to a close a remarkable chapter at the Welsh club, where he captained the side to consecutive promotions from League Two to the Championship.
The 36-year-old arrived in August 2023 and swiftly established himself as one of Wrexham's most influential figures in the modern era.
His playing time diminished during the current campaign, starting just ten of the club's 26 league fixtures before his exit.
James McClean joined Wrexham when they were in League Two, helping them to two successive promotions
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Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney paid tribute to the departing Irishman on Instagram, writing: "Have been trying to find the words to explain what @macajw means to me...but words don't exist for this. So for now, I'll just say: 'Thank you Jimmy. For everything'."