FIACRE KELLEHER wants to put a turbulent summer behind him by helping Wrexham mount a promotion challenge.

The 24-year-old centre-back has put pen to paper on a one-year deal after leaving troubled Macclesfield Town and becomes Reds boss Dean Keates’ 10th new signing ahead of the 2020-21 National League campaign.

Although he was under contract with Macclesfield for next season, Kelleher, who was captain at Moss Rose, became a free agent when the Silkmen’s relegation from the Football League was confirmed last month.

Kelleher, who made 88 appearances for Macclesfield after joining them from Oxford United in the summer of 2018, initially on loan, is looking forward to a fresh start.

“It’s been pretty hectic since I found out about the relegation,” said Kelleher, who is set to make his Wrexham debut in tonight's behind closed doors friendly against Telford United at The New Bucks Head.

“There was the option of a year if we stayed in the EFL; as of May we did, as of August we didn’t so it got a bit messy.

“They still offered me a new deal but I had been through a lot there. It is well documented so I just wanted a clean break, a fresh start somewhere, so I am delighted to get it here.

“I have been seeing what’s available but once I spoke to the gaffer, I was really keen on coming here.

“I am really happy to get it over the line.”

Kelleher, who was with Elliott Durrell, Jay Harris and Theo Vassell at Macclesfield, is not short of more familiar faces in the Reds’ squad.

And after assessing the other players in the ranks, Kelleher believes Keates is compiling a unit that can challenge for promotion.

“I know Elliott, Jay and Theo, and I played with Kwame Thomas, Jamie Reckord and Adi Yussuf at Solihull so I know the bulk of the squad,” said Kelleher, a regular in Moors’ backline during 2017-18.

“The standard of the squad is very high here; there are people fighting for positions which is always a good thing and I really do think if we knuckle down, we can do something really good.

“There is really good competition here so at the outlook I will just be looking to show what I can do and hopefully I can just benefit the team in any way I can."

Kelleher added: "I bring a lot of experience for my age which is good and I know there's a lot of leaders in the changing room already.

"I am still young enough for a centre-half and I am still looking to learn.

"I can definitely do that at Wrexham.

"I am under no illusions how tough this league is; there is some really good opposition so I have just got to be ready for that and we will do everything we can to be up there fighting."