Conor Hourihane features: 3 realistic free agents Wrexham AFC must consider ASAP | OneFootball

Wrexham AFC have a big summer ahead of them as they prepare for life in League One after achieving back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.

The Red Dragons had a difficult start to life in League Two during the 2023/24 season as they shipped plenty of goals and were hit by the shock announcement that veteran keeper Ben Foster would be retiring for a second time.

However, Phil Parkinson stayed relaxed through the turbulence and the North Walians emerged at the other end of the campaign in excellent form as they finished second in the table.

While the 56-year-old will have plenty of money to spend from Wrexham's Hollywood owners, he's a manager who knows he'll have to use his funds wisely to challenge again in the third tier.

Parkinson has already made room in his squad by releasing several players who were key figures during the last two seasons, including Ben Tozer, Luke Young and Aaron Hayden.

As the start of the summer transfer window looms large, here we look at three players who are about to become free agents that Wrexham should target.

Conor Hourihane

The biggest eye-catcher when Derby County announced their retained list after winning promotion from League One was the decision to release their captain Conor Hourihane.

The 33-year-old former Republic of Ireland midfielder made 47 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions as the Rams finished second in the table.

Wrexham released both their club and first team captains in Tozer and Young, meaning there's room in the Racecourse dressing room for a strong leader like Hourihane.

He's a decent ball-playing midfielder who could really make Parkinson's side tick in their quest for another promotion.

It's been widely reported that League One rivals Barnsley are keen to secure Hourihane's services.

However, Wrexham have a strong Irish contingent in their squad who could make him feel right at home, including another former Ireland international in James McClean, as well as Eoghan O’Connell, Tom O’Connor, Anthony Forde and Luke McNicholas.

Marko Marosi

Wrexham could well be in the hunt for a new number one this summer as uncertainty remains over the future of Arthur Okonkwo.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper was very impressive on loan from Arsenal last term, but has plenty of suitors following his release from the Premier League runners-up.

If he does move elsewhere, then the Red Dragons should turn their attention to Shrewsbury Town stopper Marko Marosi.

Shrews head coach Paul Hurst believes the 30-year-old is likely to play his football elsewhere next season, despite being offered a new contract.

Shrewsbury endured a difficult season, which saw them narrowly avoid relegation from League One by four points, and Marosi was one of the key players whose saves helped them gain some very valuable points.

The Slovakian keeper made 43 league appearances and still managed to keep ten clean sheets, despite his team's poor form,

Josh Knight

Peterborough United centre-back Josh Knight is another who will attract plenty of interest when his contract expires in June.

The 26-year-old was one of the star players for Darren Ferguson's side last season, which ended in a play-off semi-final defeat to eventual promotion winners Oxford United.

Wrexham already have a pretty settled backline, but will need to strengthen if they're to fight it out at the top of League One.

Knight made 45 league appearances and scored six goals last term. He offers a commanding presence in defence, as well as being very comfortable on the ball.

Parkinson would have competition if he tried to sign the former Leicester City man, with recent reports suggesting interest from several lower-end Championship sides, and even abroad. The Posh themselves have also offered him fresh terms.

However, that doesn't mean it's an unrealistic prospect, with Wrexham boasting plenty of pulling power these days.