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Wrexham keeper Okonkwo looks forward to the Championship

Wrexham keeper Okonkwo looks forward to the Championship

Leader Live12-06-2025
The former Arsenal goalkeeper was a key component in the Reds gaining promotion from League One, boasting the second best defensive record behind champions Birmingham City.
Wrexham will line up with the big-spending Blues, in addition to the likes of Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town - all relegated from the Premier League - when the new campaign kicks-off in August.
Looking ahead to the season, Okonkwo told Amanpour and Company: 'I said the same thing last year. For me, it doesn't make sense to hope for 10th or 12th. I'm always going to have that mentality that we're going to go for promotion.
'But, yeah, I think everyone should be positive and we're going to try and go for it again.
'Obviously, this year, it's much more challenging, but it just doesn't make sense in my mind to think about finishing in the middle when there's so much higher you can aim for.'
Since making the move to The Racecourse, Okonkwo has been part of two promotion-winning sides.
On loan from Arsenal in 2023-24, Okonkwo was a real fan favourite between the sticks as Wrexham finished as runners-up to Stockport County in League Two.
Fast forward to the League One campaign and despite suffering a broken wrist, Okonkwo still managed 34 league appearances as the Reds made it back-to-back-to-back promotions.
The forthcoming campaign will be Wrexham's first in the second tier for more than four decades - and it is a new division for Okonkwo.
'It's hard to prepare for a league I've never played in before,' he stressed.
'But, the most I can do is, obviously, increase my training this summer, to make sure I'm physically ready.
'That's the most important thing and then, yeah, you know, the manager will have plans in place on how we can achieve big things this season and what we need to do, and taking those things on board.
'I think the biggest thing is adaptation, being able to adapt from League One up to the Championship, because it's a huge shift and I think, you know, with the manager, the players he brings in, the players we have, I have full confidence going into next season.'
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