This summer, Wrexham will participate in The Soccer Tournament once more, but few could have predicted that former Premier League striker Gary Hooper would be competing.
This summer, Wrexham’s recruitment following their promotion to League One will be the main focus.
Phil Parkinson and co need to nail the summer transfer window and give Wrexham a real chance of pushing for a third promotion in a row.
That may be a little bold but Ryan Reynolds has already outlined his desire to go ‘for broke’ in pursuit of another promotion.
Wrexham will need key signings in order to make that happen and fans will be glued to transfer rumours all summer long.
There are other things to look forward too as well though; huge pre-season games are on the horizon and Wrexham will be featuring in The Soccer Tournament again.
The seven-a-side competition in North Carolina will see Wrexham take part as one of 48 teams going for the $1million prize.
After the likes of Lee Trundle and Andy Morrell turned out for Wrexham last summer, a provisional squad for this summer’s tournament has now been announced.
Gary Hooper in Wrexham TST squad
Mark Howard and Jake Bickerstaff are among the familiar faces who will be turning out for Wrexham at The Soccer Tournament this summer.
Coach and former midfielder David Jones will be in action again whilst George Boyd – who played for Wrexham last summer – will be representing the ‘Red Dragons’ once again.
Youngster Harry Ashfield, fresh off winning the Bob Clark Academy Player of the Season award last week, will have a chance to shine too.
However, the roster also includes a few unexpected names—more players like Boyd who are not particularly associated with Wrexham.
Gary Hooper will be playing alongside former Honduran star and FA Cup winner Roger Espinoza.
Let’s take a closer look at the former Premier League striker’s career as he gets ready to play for Wrexham this summer.
Who is Gary Hooper?
Hooper was on the books at Tottenham Hotspur as a kid but ended up having to drop down to non-league football in order to kickstart his career.
After showing promise with Grays Athletic, Hooper joined Southend United but failed to make the grade there, paving the way for a 2008 move to Scunthorpe United.
That is where Hooper really made a name for himself, racking up 50 goals in just 95 games to secure himself a big move to Celtic in 2010.
Hooper’s goalscoring run showed no signs of slowing down, smashing 82 goals in 138 games before leaving for Premier League football with Norwich City in 2013.
From non-league to the Premier League in seven years, Hooper achieved the kind of rise Wrexham are now aiming for under Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Hooper spent time with Sheffield Wednesday before playing in New Zealand, India, Cyprus and Dubai before a stint with Barnet this past season.
Now 36, Hooper will be hoping to help Wrexham win The Soccer Tournament this summer with his goalscoring ability no doubt set to be a key factor.
