Wrexham AFC: Liberato Cacace excited to join 'special club'
Cacace spent the last three-and-a-half years with Empoli having joined initially on loan from Belgium outfit Sint-Truiden in January 2022 before making the move permanent that summer.
He was a key player in 2024-25, scoring twice in 33 games in Serie A, but he was unable to help keep Empoli in Italy's top flight and he has decided to move on following their relegation.
Despite struggling in the league, there was a run to the semi-final of the Coppa Italia last term and the 24-year-old, who made 76 appearances across three seasons in Serie A, is looking to pick up where he left off for Wrexham in the Championship.
"It is not great when you are relegated but on a personal note, last season was my best season for Empoli in terms of goals and assists," said Cacace.
"We made the semi-final of the cup and I played every minute on the cup run.
"I was very pleased with my development. Over the last three years, I have definitely improved every season and I am just looking to continue from that.
"That did create a lot of interest, especially when I was looking to leave at the end of the season.
"There were offers but once Wrexham came to the table, this was where my heart was."
Cacace was nominated for the Best Men's FIFA 11 Award after lifting the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup with New Zealand as captain, which saw him named the most valuable player at the tournament.
He began his career at home-town club Wellington Phoenix, who beat Wrexham 1-0 at Sky Stadium on Saturday in the Reds' final game of the pre-season tour Down Under, before making the move to Europe to join Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2020.
The switch to north Wales was completed despite Wrexham being on the other side of the world and Cacace is delighted to join the Reds who made history last season after securing a third successive promotion.
"It's been a long process and it's also been difficult with the time-zone with the club being over in New Zealand," said Cacace.
"But I am happy to get it over the line and I can't wait to meet everyone.
"I have always wanted to play in the UK and there's also the factor of what they are building at Wrexham.
MORE WREXHAM AFC NEWS
Phil Parkinson reacts to Wrexham's 1-0 defeat to Wellington Phoenix
Luke Bolton leaves Wrexham and signs permanent deal with Mansfield Town
"Everyone can see that and I wanted to be a part of that as well, and it's also the Championship.
"It all fitted into place and it's definitely the right move for me."
Wrexham are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and Cacace added: "I think Wrexham would appeal to any player with what they are creating here.
"You can't shy away from that. The club is run well and it is a really family orientated club."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gooch targets Premier League return at Huddersfield
New Huddersfield Town signing Lynden Gooch is targeting a return to the Premier League at the John Smith's versatile USA winger has signed a three-year deal after joining from Championship side dropping down to League One, the 29-year-old is hoping the Terriers can return to the top flight after a two-year spell there between 2017 and 2019."I want to get promoted and achieve something with this group," Gooch told BBC Radio Leeds."I am coming here to compete and win and hopefully be a Championship player next season. I think the club is a well-established Championship club, the fans who have experienced the Premier League will want to get back there. That is what we need to drive for."Gooch, who began his career at Sunderland and played in the Premier League for them, has warned his new team-mates to not get ahead of themselves."We need to take it one step at a time, but the long-term ambition is to be competing for the Premier League again, there is no doubt about that. "I have not given up on that dream."Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Airdrie boss: New striker a priority as side prepare for Ross County without recognised centre forward
The Diamonds host Ross County on Saturday in the Championship curtain-raiser but are light up top Rhys McCabe admits Airdrie priority is bringing in a new striker as the Diamonds prepare for Saturday's Championship opener at home to Ross County without a recognised striker. The player-boss watched his side crash out of the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday to League One Alloa Athletic, with the Wasps pouncing on Sean McGinty's error to grab a 3-2 victory in the 89th minute at New Broomfield. Airdrie played without a striker as midfielders Chris Mochrie, Lewis McGrattan and Dylan Williams all had a shot at playing through the middle over the 90 minutes. Last season's star striker Ben Wilson sealed a summer switch to Welsh side The New Saints and the club are yet to replace him, while former Aberdeen frontman Aaron Reid is out injured. The club are also still coming to terms with long-term club captain and creative force Adam Frizzell leaving for Derry City last month. So McCabe is well aware of his side's shortcoming ahead of the Staggies visiting. He said: "We are not the thickest of squads and we've got a lot of kids on the bench who are still in a development phase, where they aren't ready or shouldn't be ready to be in the first team at this moment in time, but they have to be because of numbers. We've had to include them more than we'd planned. "So we need to look and get a couple of additions in to help the boys out in key areas of the pitch. "A striker has been our priority for a number of weeks because we've lost our source of goals but what some people might forget as well is we lost our captain, in Adam Frizzell. "Frizz has been a big, big part of how we've played over the last few years. His creativity and the way he leads by example on the pitch is a big miss. "To lose your source of goals as well - and Aaron Reid is still out injured and won't be back until the end of September - is tough. "We are playing Mochrie through the middle or Euan Henderson and we are trying to play a system that allows us to not kill somebody by playing them out of position. "But, right now, we don't have a recognised striker in the squad, which is an area we are trying to fill. "We need to make sure it is the right one and we are not jumping in too quickly to get somebody that ends up being a waste of a number in the squad. "They have to add value and challenge whoever is in the squad. When Aaron Reid comes back or when the likes of Mochrie or Hendo are playing there, there should be competition. We shouldn't just be sticking someone there because we've got nobody else. "I don't think we are a million miles away from being set and ready for the season. "We are certainly short in a couple of areas but we aren't making excuses. "We've gone and beaten Dundee, we won every game up until this one so we can't use that as an excuse just because we've lost a game."
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Rangers coach reflects on ‘amazing' return to club as he's spotted back at Ibrox for first time since sacking
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE brand new era at Rangers is well and truly up and running now. But a prominent figure from the Light Blues' recent past has been spotted back at Ibrox for the first time since his exit. 3 Harry Watling (left) was part of Michael Beale's Rangers coaching staff Credit: Willie Vass 3 Watling with Rangers star Findlay Curtis Credit: Willie Vass 3 He's now working under Rob Edwards at Middlesbrough Credit: PA Having seen-off Panathinaikos in last Tuesday's crunch opening Champions League qualifier, Rangers were back in friendly action on Saturday. Russell Martin's side welcomed English Championship outfit Middlesbrough to Govan for their final friendly clash of the summer. The Gers boss was able to give a number of squad players minutes but they failed to really stake a claim as they fell 2-0 down. Goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis levelled things up as the entertaining clash finished 2-2. It's a new era for Boro too with Rob Edwards now in charge. The former Luton boss, whose name was linked to the Rangers vacancy at one point in time, has replaced Michael Carrick as boss. Alongside Edwards in the dugout at Ibrox on Saturday was a familiar face. Harry Watling previously worked as first team coach at Rangers and is now an assistant at Boro. Watling, 35, was a key part of Michael Beale's staff at the Light Blues during his rather ill-fated spell as boss. He'd previously worked with him at QPR. Russell Martin opens up after he got sent off by John Beaton in pre-season friendly vs 'Boro When Beale was sacked as manager in October 2023, his entire coaching staff was also dismissed, including Watling. That decision came after a horror start to the 2023/24 season. After leaving Ibrox, Watling landed the managerial role at Ebbsfleet United in September in 2024 but departed after only three months after one win in 13. He returned to football last month when he landed the key role alongside Edwards at Boro. Saturday's friendly clash offered Watling the first chance to return to Ibrox since his dismissal. And it's fair to say he enjoyed it. On Instagram, Watling said: "It was amazing to go back to Ibrox for the first time again yesterday. "A huge shout-out to the 8,000 @theboroofficial fans who made it electric. "So nice to see some old faces too from staff to players. "Thank you to everyone for making it such a warm welcome back. "Excited to begin another huge season." Middlesbrough face local rivals Hartlepool away from home in a friendly this Wednesday before taking on Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna at home on Saturday. The real stuff starts for them the following weekend with a home clash against Swansea to open the Championship season. For Rangers, the real stuff has of course already started. The Gers head to Athens to take on Panathinaikos in the second leg of their Champions League second round qualifier on Wednesday. Then on Saturday, the Scottish Premiership gets underway as the Gers head to Motherwell in the evening TV game. Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
