Wrexham's Zak Vyner excited to experience club's US popularity first-hand

Image caption: Zak Vyner came through the Bristol City academy and has had loan spells at Accrington Stanley, Aberdeen, Plymouth Argyle and Rotherham United

By Aled Williams BBC Sport Wales

Wrexham defender Zak Vyner is looking forward to seeing how popular the Welsh club are in the United States for himself.

The Championship club, who recently faced Wisla Krakow in Poland and Manchester United in Finland, have traveled to the US for three games.

Wrexham's previous two tours of America have attracted huge crowds due to their global profile under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and the success of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series.

"It's going to be a lot of hard work, but it'll be a great experience for me to get a taste of it," Vyner said.

"I only sort of get a taste of the American fans through social media and when I signed and the amount of love that I have got from them.

"In that way, I haven't actually seen it first-hand yet, so I'm really excited.

"We had the two European friendlies, so you got the taste of how Wrexham travels and the fans over there in the cities that we went to, and I was taken aback.

"The lads say America's ten times that, so it will be an eye-opener and good fun.

"I've spoken to the lads from the previous tours and the amazing places that they go to just to sort of pick their brains about what the games are like and playing against top opposition."

Figure caption: Vyner: 'There's no question' Wrexham can't make playoffs

Wrexham, preparing for a second successive season in the Championship, meet Leeds in Tampa on Sunday, 26 July before facing Liverpool in New York four days later.

Their final pre-season game is against Sunderland on Sunday, 2 August in Philadelphia and Vyner is looking forward to making an impression on tour.

"I'm ready to go, I feel good, I feel fit," Vyner added.

"These tours, and pre-season in general, are for everyone to essentially give the manager a headache.

"I'm looking to do that and hopefully have some more games, get some more minutes, get myself fitter and just be ready for the season."

Vyner, 29, joined Wrexham from Championship rivals Bristol City for an undisclosed fee during the January transfer window.

He had a toe injury when he joined and was then thrust into action in central midfield. He missed the final five games of the season with a groin injury.

"I went away in the summer and there's a lot more to come," Vyner said.

"When you move to a new club, and it's the first time I've done that on a permanent basis, it is about getting to grips with everything off the pitch as well.

"There's a whole bunch of stuff that goes on behind the scenes that people don't really see.

"Just bedding into a new place, new club and a new changing room, is a big jump.

"I feel now a lot closer to the lads and everyone's been great, but getting a lot closer naturally and getting to know each other's personalities, playing styles, everything, takes a bit of time.

"I'm ready to go and there's a lot more to come."

Related Topics

• Welsh Football
• Wrexham
• Football
• Championship

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