TRANMERE Rovers manager Micky Mellon's preparations for next season has continued with the signing of defender Liam Ridehalgh on a new two-year contract.

The 26-year-old left-back originally joined the Club back in September 2013 on loan from Huddersfield Town, where he had come through the youth ranks.

A successful loan period at Prenton Park was converted into a permanent move later that season and he now has more than 150 appearances for Rovers under his belt.

Last season, he supplied crosses from the left which resulted in 14 goals while he got himself on the scoresheet once with an excellent direct free-kick in the 9-0 victory over Solihull Moors and was narrowly pipped to the Players' Player of the Season award by Andy Cook.

In an interview on the club's website manager Micky Mellon said: "Liam played a big part in helping the team to a club record points tally last season, so I'm really pleased to keep him at the football club.

"We all know the quality he possesses with his left foot and he gives us good balance down that side of the pitch being a naturally left-sided player.

"He adapted well when we switched to three at the back, so we know that he is adaptable to different formations we may wish to play going forward, so I’m pleased that he is staying at the Club."

Ridehalgh added: "I'm really happy to stay at the club. Obviously it was disappointing not to have gained promotion last season but hopefully we can go one better next year.

"From a personal point of view, I'd like to keep up the number of assists I provided and help keep the number of clean sheets we did last season, or even better that.

He added: "It wasn't nice getting relegated twice so I want to get the Club back into the Football League, because everybody knows that's where it belongs.

"Whatever happens at the end of the two years, I want to have achieved promotion back into the Football League with Tranmere Rovers."