Wrexham kick off the Championship season this weekend as Phil Parkinson travels to take on Southampton.
It’s almost time for Wrexham to get started in the Championship.
More than three months on from the promotion-clinching victory over Charlton Athletic, Wrexham are back in competitive action once again this weekend.
Wrexham travel to face Southampton this weekend, kicking off the season against the relegated Saints.
Some familiar faces have gone, with Paul Mullin joining Wigan Athletic and Steven Fletcher departing at the end of his contract.
Mark Howard joined Salford City as his contract came to an end, while Jordan Davies has yet to find a club.
Those players were all popular in their own right, but they have moved on and paved the way for new heroes to emerge.
Phil Parkinson has signed eight new players this summer, so let’s introduce them ahead of the big Championship kick-off…
Danny Ward, goalkeeper
What he brings to Wrexham: Experienced head in goal, has been around the top level at Liverpool. Hasn’t played as many games as he would have liked, but will now offer competition for Arthur Okonkwo.
Who he has played for: Liverpool, Morecambe, Aberdeen, Huddersfield Town, Leicester City.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Predominantly on Leicester City’s bench, playing as backup to Kasper Schmeichel.
Conor Coady, defender
What he brings to Wrexham: A very upbeat personality. Fantastic leader and communicator, will be a fan favourite on ‘Welcome to Wrexham’. A tough centre-back with bags of experience.
Who he has played for: Liverpool, Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Leicester City.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Serving as a key man in the Wolves defence, playing 37 of 38 games in the 2020-21 Premier League season. Coady was also named in the England squad for Euro 2020, held in 2021.
Liberato Cacace, wing-back
What he brings to Wrexham: Versatility to play at left-back, left wing-back, left wing, attacking midfield – wherever Phil Parkinson wants him. Also brings top-level experience from Italy’s Serie A.
Who he has played for: Wellington Phoenix, Sint-Truiden, Empoli.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Establishing himself as a first-team regular in Belgium with Sint-Truiden, building on his potential with Wellington Phoenix.
George Thomason, midfielder
What he brings to Wrexham: Another leader, having captained Bolton Wanderers last season. Thomason is a likeable personality, has shown incredible grit to reach this level of the game and should bring quality in a holding role in the Wrexham midfield.
Who he has played for: Longridge Town, Bamber Bridge, Bolton Wanderers.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Attempting to establish himself as a first-team player at Bolton Wanderers after an impressive rise from non-league football. The 2020-21 season proved to be Thomason’s breakthrough campaign, playing 24 games in League Two.
Lewis O’Brien, midfielder
What he brings to Wrexham: Proven Championship quality in midfield. O’Brien provides major energy in midfield and can impact the game in attack, despite a modest goal tally in his career.
Who he has played for: Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, Nottingham Forest, D.C. United, Middlesbrough, Los Angeles FC, Swansea City.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Excelling for Huddersfield Town in the Championship, racking up 42 appearances in the 2020-21 season. Just a year later, O’Brien helped Huddersfield reach the Championship play-off final.
Ryan Hardie, attacker
What he brings to Wrexham: Plenty of pace in attack. Hardie has proven himself to be a goalscoring threat in the Championship and has hit double figures for goals in each of his last four seasons.
Who he has played for: Rangers, Raith Rovers, St Mirren, Livingston, Blackpool, Plymouth Argyle.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Bouncing back from a disappointing spell with Blackpool to establish himself as a Plymouth Argyle favourite. The Pilgrims loved Hardie so much, they made him a permanent signing in 2021.
Josh Windass, attacker
What he brings to Wrexham: Another proven Championship player who brings goals and moments of sheer magic. Some fans will love his confidence, others won’t, but he has shown that he can back up the talk.
Who he has played for: Harrogate Railway Athletic, Accrington Stanley, Rangers, Wigan Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Scored nine goals in the 2020-21 season as Sheffield Wednesday suffered relegation from the Championship, finishing rock bottom of the table.
Kieffer Moore, attacker
What he brings to Wrexham: An enormous presence at 6ft 5in tall. Perhaps the new Ollie Palmer in one sense, but will be his own man at Wrexham. Yet another proven Championship player who has scored plenty of goals over the years.
Who he has played for: Truro City, Dorchester Town, Yeovil Town, Viking, Forest Green Rovers, Torquay United, Ipswich Town, Rotherham United, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic, Cardiff City, AFC Bournemouth, Sheffield United.
Where he was when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham: Banging in the goals for Welsh rivals Cardiff City. Moore finished the 2020-21 season with 20 Championship goals to his name, cementing himself as one of the most dangerous attackers at the level.