Wanderers legend Jussi Jaaskelainen has left his position as Wrexham's goalkeeping coach and is returning home to Finland. 

The 44-year-old was brought to the Racecourse Ground by former Bolton team-mate Sam Ricketts in the summer of 2018.

Ricketts has since moved on to become manager of Shrewsbury, Jaaskelainen helping take charge of an FA Cup second round tie against Newport County in December before the boss' departure to the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Signed by Colin Todd from VPS for just £100,000 in 1997, Jaaskelainen went on to become one of Wanderers’ greatest ever goalkeepers, making 530 appearances in all competitions. 

There had been speculation he might follow Ricketts to the League One club, Graham Barrow having made the same move this week, but Wrexham say he is going back to Finland. 

"Wrexham AFC can confirm that goalkeeping coach Jussi Jääskeläinen has left the club," they said in a statement on Friday morning. 

"Jussi joined our coaching staff last summer to train our goalkeepers after the appointment of a new first team manager.

"Wrexham AFC were always aware that Jussi’s personal plans meant that he would not be able to stay with us in the long term but we know he really enjoyed his time at Wrexham last season.

"Wrexham AFC are extremely grateful to Jussi for all of his hard work and commitment and we wish him all the very best with his move home to his native Finland."

In all, he played 638 games for Bolton, West Ham and Wigan Athletic, including more than 400 in the Premier League.

Jaaskelainen finished his career with a spell in India with ATK, retiring from playing in January 2018. 

There has been high praise for his work with Wrexham, who lost out to Eastleigh in the National League play-offs after finishing fourth in the table.  

Former Wanderers goalkeeper Rob Lainton was named the Red Dragons' player of the year, keeping 25 clean sheets in all. The 29-year-old came through the ranks with Bolton but left in 2013 without making a senior appearance.