TRANMERE Rovers will be without star striker Ryan Lowe next season after the club announced his decision to leave Prenton Park.

Lowe, 35, moved to Rovers last summer and signed a two-year contract with the club.

He scored 20 goals last season as Tranmere were relegated to League Two but will now join Bury for an undisclosed sum.

Rovers’ chief executive Jeremy Butler said: “We gave Ryan a two-year contract 12 months ago and were expecting him to remain with us for the length of that contract.

“Since the season ended Ryan has spoken publically about his need to sign a new extended contract.

“We do not feel it is prudent for Tranmere Rovers to give a 35-year-old player an improved two-year contract when he still has 12 months left to run on his current deal.

“We feel the fee Bury are paying for Ryan is excellent value for this football club and the money will be put into the budget to sign new players for next season.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ryan for his contribution in the year he was with us.”