Ryan Reynolds has opened his wallet and smashed Wrexham’s club record transfer fee as he aims to strengthen his Championship side.
The Welsh club is eyeing a record fourth straight promotion next season and hoping to get to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.
The Red Dragons had been languishing down in the National League when Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the side in 2021 and have quickly risen through the tiers to be looking at the possibility of playing in the top flight.
In an attempt to strengthen the side before the Championship season, Wrexham have doubled their transfer fee record to bring in 24-year-old New Zealand international Liberato Cacace.
PA
|Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have led Wrexham to three consecutive promotions
The defender has been brought in on a three-year deal for an initial £2.16million fee. The fee could rise to £4million with add-ons.
The previous transfer record had been Sam Smith, who was signed from Reading in January for £2million.
JUST IN: Michail Antonio reveals he remembers NOTHING of horror crash as he looks to return to club football
Cacace, who has 33 caps for New Zealand, expressed his excitement at playing for the Hollywood duo,
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign for this historic club. I just can't wait to get started. Looking from the outside, what they are creating here is something I want to be part of.
“The family they have here – it's a tight-knit Club and that enticed me. I had a great phone call with the manager, and after that I really wanted to sign.”
Liberato Cacace has signed for Wrexham for a club record transfer fee
Manager Phil Parkinson shared in the enthusiasm for the new signing: “We are delighted to welcome Libby to Wrexham and look forward to integrating him with the squad on our return home.
“Libby is a player we have looked at,' the 57-year-old manager told media during their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand.
“I have spoken to Libby and love his character and personality. He is a player who will fit in with the culture we have created at Wrexham.”
The New Zealand defender has previously played for Empoli in Serie A, but they were relegated in May, giving Wrexham the chance to snatch their star man.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
The recruitment of overseas players speaks to the broadening of the Red Dragons' recruitment plans, as up until this, the majority of players have come from British and Irish sides.
The left back was nominated for the Fifa Best XI last year and will now compete with captain James McClean, Seb Revan, and Jacob Mendy for a starting spot.
Wrexham have had a positive transfer window so far, signing former Leicester and Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward and Plymouth’s Ryan Hardie this summer.
Liberato Cacace will now fight with captain James McClean for a place in the first team
The Red Dragons almost had the signing of the summer after rumours began to swirl that they were in talks with Leicester legend Jamie Vardy at the start of the window; however, it appears interest has waned between the sides.
There have been difficult oustings within the Welsh side as well as signings, as star striker Paul Millin, who scored 110 goals in 170 games for Reynolds’ side, has been sent out on loan to Wigan for the season.