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Leader Live
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham AFC: Liberato Cacace excited to join 'special club'
The left-back, who has been capped 33 times for New Zealand, has left Serie B side Empoli and signed a contract keeping him at The Racecourse until the end of the 2027-2028 season. 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."
Leader Live
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Liberato Cacace signs from Italian side Empoli
New Wrexham signing Liberato Cacace (Image: Wrexham AFC) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. LIBERATO CACACE has joined Wrexham from Serie B outfit Empoli for an undisclosed fee. The left-back, who has been capped 33 times for New Zealand, has signed a contract keeping him at The Racecourse until the end of the 2027-2028 season. He becomes the Reds' third new signing ahead of the new Championship campaign, joining goalkeeper Danny Ward and striker Ryan Hardie at the north Wales club who will compete in the second tier for the first time in 43 years in 2025-26. Cacace has spent the last three-and-a-half years with Empoli having joined initially on loan from Belgium side 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. The 24-year-old made 76 appearances across three seasons in Serie A, where he was nominated for the Best Men's FIFA 11 Award. His nomination came after lifting the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup for the Ferns as Captain, which saw him named the most valuable player at the tournament. Cacace began his career at home-town club Wellington Phoenix who, ironically, Wrexham face tomorrow at Sky Stadium in the 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 full-back, who won't be involved in the friendly against his former club, told the club: 'I'm absolutely delighted to sign for this historic Club, and 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.' Reds' boss Phil Parkinson added: 'We are delighted to welcome Libby to Wrexham and look forward to integrating him with the squad on our return home."
