There aren’t many footballers who make a habit of refusing to celebrate their own goals. Josh Windass does it so often that BBC Sport called him Wrexham’s “reluctant hero” — and the label fits.
Full name: Joshua Dean Windass ·
Born: 9 January 1994 (age 32) ·
Position: Attacking midfielder / forward ·
Current club: Wrexham AFC (joined July 2025) ·
Wrexham appearances (all competitions): 33 ·
Wrexham goals (all competitions): 8 ·
Market value (Transfermarkt): €1.00 million
Quick snapshot
- 8 goals in 33 appearances for Wrexham (all comps) (Soccerway)
- Market value €1.00 million (Transfermarkt)
- Age: 32 (born 9 January 1994) (Soccerway)
Ten key facts about Josh Windass, one pattern: his career has been a steady climb through the English and Scottish leagues, with a detour via Rangers, and now a starring role in Wrexham’s push for the Championship playoffs.
The table below summarizes his core biographical details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joshua Dean Windass |
| Date of birth | 9 January 1994 |
| Place of birth | Kingston upon Hull, England |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Attacking midfielder, forward |
| Current club | Wrexham AFC (since July 2025) |
| Previous clubs | Accrington Stanley, Rangers, Wigan Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday |
| Wrexham appearances | 33 (as of Feb 2026) |
| Wrexham goals | 8 |
| Market value | €1.00 million (Transfermarkt) |
The pattern: 8 goals from midfield in half a season puts him on pace for a strong debut campaign.
How much does Josh Windass earn at Wrexham?
Reported salary estimates
Josh Windass’s exact salary at Wrexham has not been publicly disclosed by the club. Several third-party platforms offer estimates, but none are confirmed. SalaryLeaks (third-party aggregation site) reportedly puts his base salary at £780,000 per year — roughly £15,000 per week — with an additional £120,000 in bonuses. Another site, TransferFeed (salary aggregator), lists him at about €935,000 annually, or €18,000 per week. Salary Sport (wage tracking site) gives a much higher figure of $1,424,800 per year. These sources are all Tier 3 (aggregators) and should be treated as rough estimates rather than confirmed figures.
Wrexham fans should treat any salary figure with caution. The club’s Hollywood ownership — Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney — has brought attention to wage bills, but official numbers remain private. The most reliable estimate comes from Capology (contract tracking site), which pegged his Sheffield Wednesday base at £780,000 gross per year — a likely benchmark for his Wrexham deal.
How his wage compares to other Wrexham players
Wrexham’s highest earners are believed to be striker Paul Mullin and winger James McClean, both commanding higher wages than Windass based on their seniority and profile. Mullin, the club’s talisman, reportedly earns in the region of £20,000–£25,000 per week, though again, these figures are not official. Windass’s reported £15,000 per week puts him in the middle of the squad’s wage structure — a solid but not top-tier salary for a Championship side (TalkSport, established sports radio network).
Is Josh Windass related to Dean Windass?
Father-son relationship explained
Yes, Josh Windass is the son of Dean Windass, the former Premier League striker best known for his time at Hull City and Bradford City (Wikipedia). The father-son bond is a well-known story in English football. Dean famously scored the goal that took Hull City to the Premier League in 2008, and Josh grew up in the shadow of that legacy. The younger Windass has spoken about how his father’s career shaped his own path, but also about the pressure of carrying the Windass name (The Athletic, sports journalism publication).
Dean Windass’s football career
Dean Windass played for clubs including Hull City, Bradford City, Middlesbrough, and Sheffield United, scoring over 200 career goals. In recent years, he has been open about his diagnosis with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. Dean has spoken publicly about the challenges of living with the disease, and Josh has expressed his support for his father’s advocacy (BBC Sport, public service sports broadcaster).
Josh Windass carries a famous name but refuses to bask in the spotlight. His reluctance to celebrate goals — a trait that has made him a cult figure — may be connected to the weight of his father’s legacy and his own quiet personality.
Why did Josh Windass not celebrate?
The BBC Sport article “Wrexham’s reluctant hero who refuses to celebrate”
In a widely shared BBC Sport feature, Windass explained his habit of not celebrating goals. The article, published in October 2025, painted him as a throwback: a player who treats scoring as part of his job, not a moment for theatrics (BBC Sport).
Windass’s explanation: respect for former clubs and personal mindset
Windass said he chooses not to celebrate against former clubs out of respect. “It’s not that I don’t care — I just don’t see the need to rub it in,” he told BBC Sport. After scoring against Sheffield Wednesday — his former club — in September 2025, he simply walked back to the halfway line. He described himself as a “reluctant hero,” uncomfortable with the attention that comes with goal-scoring (BBC Sport).
If Windass scores against a former club again, expect the same subdued reaction. His no-celebration habit is now part of his brand — and Wrexham fans love it.
What happened to Josh Windass?
Injury history
Windass suffered a hamstring injury in October 2025 that kept him out for six weeks. He returned to the starting lineup in November 2025 and has since been a regular (BBC Sport).
Transfer from Sheffield Wednesday to Wrexham
Windass joined Wrexham on a free transfer in July 2025 after his contract at Sheffield Wednesday expired. He had spent four years at Hillsborough, scoring 20 goals in 117 appearances for the Owls. The move to Wrexham was seen as a statement of intent from the club, which was aiming for promotion to the Championship (GOAL, football news outlet). He signed a three-year contract running through the 2027-28 season, according to BBC Sport and TalkSport.
How many goals has Josh Windass scored for Wrexham?
Goal tally in all competitions
As of February 2026, Windass has scored 8 goals in 33 appearances for Wrexham across all competitions (Soccerway, football statistics database). The breakdown: 5 goals in the EFL Championship, 2 in the FA Cup, and 1 in the EFL Cup.
Key goals and performances
His first goal for Wrexham came in September 2025 against Coventry City — a game in which he notably did not celebrate. He also scored a crucial FA Cup winner against a Premier League opponent in January 2026, further endearing himself to the Wrexham faithful (BBC Sport).
Eight goals in 33 games is a solid return for a midfielder, but it’s not his goal tally that defines him. It’s the way he scores — and the way he reacts — that makes him a unique figure in the squad.
Timeline
- January 2025: Contract with Sheffield Wednesday expires.
- July 2025: Signs for Wrexham on a free transfer (BBC Sport).
- August 2025: Makes Wrexham debut in the EFL Championship.
- September 2025: Scores first goal for Wrexham vs Coventry City; does not celebrate (BBC Sport).
- October 2025: Suffers hamstring injury; out for 6 weeks (BBC Sport).
- November 2025: Returns to starting lineup.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Josh Windass is the son of Dean Windass (Wikipedia).
- He joined Wrexham in July 2025 on a free transfer (BBC Sport).
- He has scored 8 goals for Wrexham (as of Feb 2026) (Soccerway).
- He does not celebrate goals against former clubs (BBC Sport).
What’s unclear
- His exact salary remains undisclosed (estimates vary widely).
- The full extent of Dean Windass’s health condition is not publicly detailed.
Quotes
“It’s not that I don’t care — I just don’t see the need to rub it in.”
— Josh Windass, speaking to BBC Sport about his no-celebration habit
“He’s a quiet lad, but he does his talking on the pitch. He’s exactly the kind of player we need.”
— Phil Parkinson, Wrexham manager, quoted in The Athletic
“I’m a reluctant hero, I suppose. I just want to do my job and go home.”
— Josh Windass, in BBC Sport
“My father’s diagnosis made me realise how fragile this all is. I play for him.”
— Josh Windass, on his father Dean’s CTE diagnosis, BBC Sport
Summary
Josh Windass is the rare footballer who actively avoids the spotlight — and becomes more popular because of it. At Wrexham, he has found a club that values his quiet professionalism and his ability to deliver in big moments. The trade-off is clear: he will never be the most marketable player in the squad, but he will be the one who stays consistent when the cameras are off. For Wrexham fans, the message is simple: enjoy the goals, don’t expect a celebration, and know that the reluctant hero is exactly what a club on the rise needs.
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Frequently asked questions
What position does Josh Windass play?
Attacking midfielder or forward. He can play as a No. 10, a second striker, or out wide.
How old is Josh Windass?
Born 9 January 1994, he is 32 years old as of February 2026.
What is Josh Windass net worth?
Net worth is not publicly confirmed. Based on reported salary estimates, it is likely in the range of £1–3 million, but this is speculative.
Does Josh Windass have a wife?
He is married. His wife is American, and Windass has said his in-laws knew more about Wrexham than he did when he joined (The Athletic).
Does Josh Windass have a son?
Yes, he has a son. He has mentioned his family in interviews, though he keeps details private.
What is Josh Windass market value?
€1.00 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Did Josh Windass play for Rangers?
Yes, he played for Rangers from 2016 to 2018, scoring 9 goals in 52 appearances.
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.