REECE HALL-JOHNSON insists it was a “no-brainer” to move to Wrexham after speaking with boss Dean Keates.

The 25-year-old put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal at The Racecourse on Monday after leaving Northampton at the end of the 2019/20 season.

Hall-Johnson and Keates met to discuss a move to Wrexham, and although he had other offers on the table, the full-back only had eyes for north Wales after the meeting.

“When I heard of Wrexham’s interest it was something I wanted to look into,” said Hall-Johnson. “Wrexham are a club with a big stadium and big ambitions.

“I spoke with the gaffer and he explained what he wanted and it was a no-brainer to sign, he really sold the club to me.

“Wherever you go you want to be wanted and I felt that after speaking with the gaffer and hearing about what he wants, we want to help Wrexham get moving in the right direction.

“I had a couple of offers from teams in this division, but this was the biggest club and the best decision for me.”

The Norwich City academy graduate was starved of game time during the 2019/20 campaign after he suffered an injury and Keith Curle’s Cobblers hit form in his absence.

After just seven appearances last term, Hall-Johnson is ready and raring to go, saying: “I started off in the team, but I was injured and then they went on something like an 11-game winning run. I found it hard to get back in, but it was a successful season for the club.”

Hall-Johnson is, of course, referring to Northampton’s 4-0 thumping of Exeter City in the play-off final to win promotion to League One. The full-back failed to make the matchday squad, but was in attendance at Wembley as the Cobblers celebrated escaping from League Two.

Hall-Johnson is targeting the National League title having signed for Wrexham, but he admits promotion via the play-offs is not a bad consolation prize.

“Promotion is the aim,” he said. “You’ve got to have that goal, whether it’s first place or through the play-offs. Winning the play-offs at Wembley might be a little bit better in some respects, but first place is what we want.”

And the former Chester loan man believes Wrexham could move through the divisions if they end their Football League exodus.

Hall-Johnson, who has spent most of his career plying his trade in League Two and the National League, said: “I’ve played at this level and League Two and there is not much difference.

“We will work hard and give everything to get promoted because there is nothing stopping the club going up again.

“There are more promotion spots in League Two and there isn’t too much difference in quality.”