TRANMERE Rovers boss Gary Brabin continued with preparations for next season by signing defender Martin Riley on a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old centre-back has spent the last two seasons with Mansfield Town, his second spell at the One Call Stadium, where he made 64 appearances in League Two.

Brabin said: "I'm delighted to bring Martin to the club.

"He has good experience of this league and the one above so I’m sure he’ll be an excellent acquisition for the club.

"He's a good competitor who has played alongside Ritchie Sutton before so there is a good understanding already between them."

Sutton signed a two-year contract with Rovers in May after impressing manager Brabin with his "no-nonsense" defending.

Riley's first spell with Mansfield saw him help them to reach the Conference play-offs, while he later reached the play-offs again with Wrexham, also winning the FA Trophy in a season with the Racecourse Ground side.

Riley, who stands 6ft 3ins, began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers before moving to Shrewsbury Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Cheltenham Town.

His contract will come into effect on July 1.

Meanwhile, Tranmere will discover who they'll kick off against for the 2015-16 National League when the fixtures are announced on Friday, July 3.

The new season begins on Saturday, August 8, and finishes on April 30, 2016.

Ahead of those dates, Brabin's side face several local pre-season friendlies before taking on Blackburn Rovers on Friday, July 24, and Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, August 1.