Wrexham to conclude pre-season with Dutch trippublished at 11:54 31 July
11:54 31 July
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Wrexham complete their pre-season preparations ahead of the new Championship season with a game in the Netherlands.
Phil Parkinson's side face Eredivisie side FC Groningen, who finished 13th in the Dutch top-flight last season, on Saturday.
The Dragons recently returned from a three-game tour of Australia and New Zealand where they secured a win over Melbourne Victory but lost to FC Sydney and Wellington Phoenix.
On their return, Wrexham played a behind closed doors friendly against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday, which they won 3-0.
The game in the Netherlands, which is not open to away supporters, will be Wrexham's last before their Championship opener at Southampton on Saturday, 9 August.
Wrexham have signed goalkeeper Danny Ward, forward Ryan Hardie, defender Liberato Cacace, midfielders George Thomason and Lewis O'Brien and forward Josh Windass during the close season.
They are also are in talks to sign Wales striker Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town for a club record fee.
The new stand's design allowed the club the option to increase capacity at a later date, subject to a separate planning application.
The Championship club have now submitted a further planning application to Wrexham County Borough Council for the installation of extra seats.
That would take the potential capacity of the new Kop Stand to 7,750 and take the overall capacity of the STōK Cae Ras to just over 18,000.
The new stand, along with other works planned at the stadium, will make Wrexham's ground fully compliant with Uefa category 4 stadium standards, allowing it to host the men's Uefa European Under-19 Championship finals tournament in 2026 and other international events.
"When we submitted the revised designs for the new Kop Stand earlier this year, the intention was always to future proof the STōK Cae Ras so that it could hold international matches for many years to come, thus remaining true to its legacy as the oldest international ground still in use," Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson said.
"With the additional seats that were planned into the revised designs, we intend to maximise the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a new and iconic Kop Stand that can accommodate a maximum number of fans for years to come."
Wrexham boss Parkinson's lowdown on new signingspublished at 14:47 29 July
14:47 29 July
Aled Williams BBC Sport Wales
Wrexham are preparing for life in English football's second tier for the first time in 43 years and manager Phil Parkinson has added to his squad during pre-season.
The Dragons have brought in Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward from Leicester City, forward Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle and left-back Liberato Cacace for a club-record fee from Empoli.
Midfielder George Thomason from Bolton Wanderers has also signed along with forward Josh Windass, who was a free agent after leaving financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday.
The signing of midfielder Lewis O'Brien from Nottingham Forest is another statement of intent by the club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Ward and Hardie were signed early on in the close season while Parkinson has added another four over recent weeks.
"We were working hard while we were away in Australia and New Zealand," Parkinson said.
"It was pointless flying any new signings over because of the jet lag situation, so we'd arranged to finalise deals when we got back.
"We're pleased with that business we did while we were out there and the new lads have had a good week training with the lads so far."
Danny Ward
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"He's come in and he's been everything we expected. A really good lad, obviously a homecoming for him as well.
"But a very good goalkeeper and wants to get himself back going again.
"I think he's done remarkably well to play for Wales when he hasn't been a regular at his club team.
"I think that's a huge testament to his professionalism."
Ryan Hardie
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"Obviously Ryan, when you look at his goal scoring record in the last two years in a Championship team which was down the bottom of the league and always fighting against it, showed real quality and real coolness in front of goal.
"He was a signing we wanted to make early and we were able to bring him in, which obviously enabled him to come on the tour with us."
Liberato Cacace
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"We watched him a lot and had a good chat with him over the last few weeks prior to him coming in.
"I feel he's a good profile for us. - he's hungry, he wants to improve, he's got real determination about the way he plays and he's got power and pace.
"As we go up into this next division, that's going to be so important.
"I feel Libby's settled in well. He's a little bit behind in terms of his training than the others because obviously he hasn't done as much pre-season, but he'll get there.
George Thomason
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"I've always liked George and I've watched him a lot over the years.
"I think he's a player with a lot of potential. He's only 24 and he's eager to test himself at this level.
"He captained Bolton in the second part of last season and he's a good profile for us in terms of a player who's got a real hunger and desire to keep improving.
"We're very pleased we were able to bring George in."
Josh Windass
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"He's a player with so much experience and an eye for goal and assists as well.
"Josh is a real talent and I think our supporters are going to enjoy watching him play.
"We looked at him a lot over the summer and obviously there's a bit of turmoil at Sheffield Wednesday.
"But not just his ability, we looked at his physical output as well and it's really high for his position and that's important as we go into this league or any league.
"But yeah, he's got craft, he's got quality in and around the box and that's obviously important in the Championship.
"Games are going to be tight, you're going to need players who are going to produce moments.
"I think for a free transfer, it was a great opportunity for us and we took it quickly."
Lewis O'Brien
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"I've known him for a long time from his Huddersfield days when he went on loan to Bradford when he was a youngster and he did great.
"He was part of the Huddersfield team that got in the [2022 Championship] play-off final and obviously got a big money move to Forest.
"He's had a period where he's been on loan in the MLS and he went to Swansea in the back part of last season.
"I really like Lewis, I think he's a player with a lot of Championship pedigree. He's a player who's played at this level and done really well and we're very pleased.
"Lewis is versatile. He can play as a 10, which he did for Swansea. He can play anywhere across the midfield three or sitting in there as a six in a midfield two.
"So he gives us that flexibility in there. There was a lot of clubs who were trying to do the deal and we were able to get it over the line and we're pleased with that."
