Liberato Cacace. Photo: Wrexham AFC / supplied
Wellington Phoenix v Wrexham
Kickoff: 5pm Saturday, 19 July
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Follow the live blog on RNZ
All Whites footballer Liberato Cacace has confirmed his move to newly promoted English Championship team Wrexham.
The North Wales club have confirmed the signing of the New Zealand international from Italian club Empoli for an undisclosed fee, pending Visa approval, registrations and international clearance.
The 24-year-old left-back is joining Wrexham on a three-year deal, until the end of the 2027/28 season.
He made 76 for Empoli appearances across three seasons in Serie A, and has played 33 games for New Zealand.
"I'm absolutely delighted to sign for this historic club, and I just can't wait to get started," Cacace said in a statement on Wrexham's official website.
"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."
Cacace began his professional career with the Wellington Phoenix, where he became the youngest player in their history to reach 50 appearances.
Two standout seasons with Phoenix earnt him the move to Europe, where he initially signed for Belgian side Sint-Truidense V.V. in 2020, before moving to Italy.
On his signing, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: "We are delighted to welcome Libby to Wrexham and look forward to integrating him with the squad on our return home."
Wrexham are in Wellington today, where they play the Phoenix in a pre-season friendly.
Liberato Cacace runs with the ball during the International Friendly Match between Ukraine and New Zealand in June 2025. Photo: EYEPIX
Wrexham were made famous after Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club in 2020, and by the hit show Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+.
They've also enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of English football ranks, securing three straight promotions to earn a spot in the second-tier English Championship for the first time in 43 years.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
