ADI YUSSUF wants to help Wrexham mount a promotion challenge in 2020-21 - from the start of the campaign.

The 28-year-old striker has joined the Reds on a season-long loan from Blackpool where he struggled to break into the first team after signing for the League One club in the summer of 2019 following an impressive spell with Solihull Moors.

Wrexham are preparing for a 13th season in non-league and Yussuf hopes to repay the faith shown in him by Reds' boss Dean Keates by making in a memorable one.

And that means hitting the ground running when the National League kicks off on October 3.

"I am absolutely buzzing to sign for Wrexham and can't wait to get started," said Yussuf.

"The gaffer has shown a lot of faith in me bringing me in.

"The aim is to challenge at the top and be in and around it throughout the whole season.

"And then come business time, we do it."

Yussuf scored 21 goals in 54 games for Solihull in all competitions during the 2018-19 campaign, helping the Damson Park outfit finish runners-up behind champions Leyton Orient.

Wrexham finished fourth, although both clubs saw their promotion dream end in the play-offs, and Yussuf believes Keates is compiling a squad that will again compete at the right end of the table following a woeful 2019-20.

"It was really tight up there," said Yussuf. "We had a good finish and ended up in the play-offs.

"With the players we have got at Wrexham, I see similar things and the sign of a good squad.

"We are going to need everyone to do well."

Yussuf failed to make a league appearance for Blackpool last term - manager Terry McPhillips left the club just after signing the frontman - and he had loan spells back at Solihull and with Boreham Wood.

But although his move to the Seasiders has not gone to plan, Yussuf remains upbeat about the future.

"I signed for Blackpool and a few days later the manager left," added Yussuf.

"It was just one of them things in football. You can't look back at it.

"You have just got to take the positives and move on.

"Not just for me, it was a frustrating year for every footballer so hopefully I can do alright this year."

Keates believes Yussuf will be eager to emulate the form he showed in helping Solihull challenge for the title in 2018-19.

"He proved before he got his move to Blackpool that he can score goals," said Keates.

"We are looking to get the most out of him and help both parties."

Kwame Thomas, a former Solihull team-mate of Yussuf, has also arrived at The Racecourse, and Keates believes the duo will be eager to prove their worth.

"We are delighted to get them in," said Keates.

"They know the division and they have both operated at a higher level in the last year so they both come in with hunger and wanting to succeed for the football club and for themselves.

"They have got something to prove and they are desperate to get going."