Latest news with #Empoli
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham wrapped up big-money transfer in Italian restaurant as star's dad speaks out
Wrexham signed Liberato Cacace from Serie A side Empoli and his dad has praised the club's family feel after hosting the manager and CEO at his restaurant in New Zealand The father of one of Wrexham 's new big-money signings has revealed how he toasted the deal with club chiefs when they visited his restaurant. Liberato Cacace signed for the Red Dragons from Italian side Empoli earlier this month in a deal believed to be worth just over £2million, potentially rising to as much as £4m with add-ons. The left-back has played in Serie A for the last three-and-a-half years, racking up 86 league appearances. Empoli were ultimately relegated from the Italian top tier at the end of last season. The New Zealand international was widely expected to stay in the division following interest from the likes of Cagliari, Pisa and Cremonese. However, Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, stole a march to secure Cacace's signature as he penned a three-year contract with the Championship new boys. The Welsh outfit were coincidentally set to play a friendly match in the 24-year-old's hometown of Wellington, New Zealand, around the time the deal was finalised. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson and chief executive Michael Williamson took the opportunity to pop in to his dad's restaurant, La Bella Italia, for a glass of wine and some food. Antonio Cacace, who was born in Naples but moved to New Zealand in 1992, has now explained how their visit convinced him that his son made the right choice. Speaking in an interview due to be aired by Wrexham fan podcast Fearless in Devotion on Wedneday, he said: "We only knew at the last minute that they were coming which was fantastic and that's proof of the family environment at Wrexham. It was an honour and a pleasure for us to meet Phil and Michael. "We had a little bit to eat and a glass of wine. We appreciate how humble these people are to come and meet the parents of a player. It was a fantastic experience for them and for us, also for the team to be here in Wellington. "Just the fact that they came to see us, that's already a sign that they're going to look after Liberato. During the hour and a half to two hours that we were there talking, laughing and singing, that [feeling] became even more strong." Williamson played a key role in signing Cacace having previously held senior roles with Serie A giants Inter Milan. As per New Zealand news outlet Stuff, this enabled him to speak directly with his agent and Empoli's sporting director. Wrexham were in New Zealand to play a friendly against Cacace's boyhood club Wellington Phoenix as part of their pre-season tour Down Under. They lost 1-0 in a surprise result but their pain was eased by the signing of the local hero. Outlining his son's motivation for joining Wrexham, Antonio said: "Being a humble man, he loves the fact of being in a nice, small community, where everyone is behind the team and the club. I think that's the major reason why he chose to come to Wrexham. "After a very disappointing time when Empoli went down to Serie B, he always expressed the desire to stay in Serie A. There were two or three clubs very interested in having Liberato, along with Wrexham. "We always talk to each other and he came to us several times [for advice]. At the end, he decided to choose Wrexham." Wrexham have achieved huge success since Reynolds and McElhenney bought the club in 2021 after registering three successive promotions. They now sit just one level below the Premier League and Antonio hopes his son can help continue their meteoric rise, despite confessing he would one day like to see him play for his own hometown team Napoli. "If Wrexham get to the Premier League, it will be an incredible journey," said Antonio. "It will be fantastic, not only for the players and the club, but also for the community, which I understand is strong, wonderful and warm. "Liberato will give 300 percent to make that happen. I can feel it and I can see it from speaking to him in the last few days. He's very focused, very determined and very committed to do well, which is great." He added: "To be honest, it is a dream for me [for Liberato to play for Napoli]. Maybe it would be a dream for Liberato as well, especially with the way Napoli is now with [Antonio] Conte as coach. "But at the end of the day, if he gets to the Premier League, I think he will have achieved what he always wanted to achieve, which is [to play in] Serie A and the Premier League. These are the two best leagues in the world." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Ajax & Udinese Join The Race For €7M Rated Inter Milan Striker
Ajax and Udinese are ready to join the race to sign Inter Milan striker Sebastiano Esposito this summer. This according to SportItalia transfer market expert Alfredo Pedulla, via FCInter1908. The Italy Under-21 striker had spent last season on loan with Empoli. However, that loan deal came to an end, and the Tuscans did not sign him on a permanent basis. Therefore, Sebastianio Esposito travelled with the Inter squad to the United States for the Club World Cup. He appeared in all four of their matches at the tournament, starting two. Ajax & Udinese Join The Race For Sebastiano Esposito EMPOLI, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Sebastiano Esposito of Empoli FC greets the fans after during the Serie A match between Empoli and Udinese at Stadio Carlo Castellani on November 25, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by) It looks like virtually a foregone conclusion that Sebastiano Esposito will leave Inter this summer, however. However, what has been a mystery is where the Italy Under-21 international will go. Quite a few clubs have shown an interest in Esposito's signature. Fiorentina were sufficiently impressed by the 23-year-old's performances for derby rivals Empoli that they've been in talks with Inter. Meanwhile, Cagliari have rivalled Fiorentina for Esposito's signature. And Alfredo Pedulla notes that Parma remain alive to the situation, also considering Inter's interest in Giovanni Leoni. Nevertheless, even more clubs are joining the race according to Pedulla. Dutch giants Ajax have come forward with an interest, the SportItalia transfer expert reports. Meanwhile, from within Serie A, Udinese have joined the growing list of clubs targeting Esposito.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official – Inter Milan U23 Team Completes Registration For Serie C
The Inter Milan Under-23 team have officially completed their registration to compete in Serie C during the upcoming season. The Nerazzurri confirm the registration in an announcement on their official homepage. Stefano Vecchi will be the coach of this new Under-23 team. This coming season, Inter will have an Under-23 team for the first time in their history. The Nerazzurri's rivals Juventus and AC Milan already have such teams. They are Juventus Next Gen and Milan Futuro respectively. These teams have provided valuable pathways for the Bianconeri and the Rossoneri's youth academy graduates into senior football. Inter Milan Under-23 Team Officially Registers For Serie C EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Thomas Berenbruch therefore. However. Moreover. Therefore. Moreover. However. Therefore. Moreover. THerefore. However. of FC Internazionale drives the ball during the Serie A match between Empoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by) Inter Milan will hope that they can enjoy the same kind of success at developing players through their Under-23 team as Juventus and Milan have. The Nerazzurri have taken a major step today. The club have confirmed that they have completed their registration for Serie C. Therefore, the Under-23 team will start competing in the Italian third tier next season. The coach of the Inter Under-23 team will be Stefano Vecchi.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Revealed – Inter Milan Pick Name For New U23 Team With Serie C Registration Set For Today
Inter Milan have settled upon a name for their Under-23 team for the upcoming season. Today's print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that the team will be named simply Inter U23. They will register the team for Serie C today. This coming season, Inter will have an Under-23 team for the first time in their history. The Nerazzurri's rivals Juventus and AC Milan already have such teams. They are Juventus Next Gen and Milan Futuro respectively. These teams have provided valuable pathways for the Bianconeri and the Rossoneri's youth academy graduates into senior football. Inter Milan Under-23 Team To Be Called Inter U23 EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Thomas Berenbruch therefore. However. Moreover. Therefore. Moreover. However. Therefore. Moreover. THerefore. However. of FC Internazionale drives the ball during the Serie A match between Empoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by) Inter Milan will hope that they can enjoy the same kind of success at developing players through their Under-23 team as Juventus and Milan have. The Nerazzurri have taken a major step. Today, they are to receive confirmation that they can register the team for Serie C. And unlike the Bianconeri and the Rossoneri, the name for Inter's Under-23 team will be very simple. The Nerazzurri will call the team simply 'Under-23' according to the Corriere dello Sport.
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."
