TRANMERE boss Micky Mellon has bolstered his squad with the return of striker Chris Dagnall to the club.

The 32-year-old, who came through Rovers academy, made his debut for the club at 17.

He made 44 appearances during his first spell at Prenton Park and most recently represented fellow League Two side, Bury, has until signed a contract that sees him back at Prenton Park until the end of season.​

News of his return to Prenton Park was announced during a press conference at Rovers' Solar Campus training ground this afternoon.

Chris Dagnall said: "It's been a long time since I was last here, but am excited to be back.

"I enjoyed my time here last time immensely and hopefully the same happens again."

On returning to Prenton Park, he said: “It’s literally come out of the blue in the last couple of days.

"I was happy at Bury, wasn't in any rush to get out of there, and knew Bury wouldn't stand in my way if I wanted to go.

"But it had to be the right club and I knew Rovers would be the only one I would leave Bury for."

Dagnall scored his first professional goal for Tranmere Rovers against Luton Town in October 2003, and went on to score a further six goals before joining Rochdale, helping them secure promotion to League One in 2010.

His impressive form in League Two earned him a move to the Championship, as he joined Scunthorpe United and he went on to play 41 times for the Iron during the 2010/11 campaign.

In 2011, he faced Tranmere in the league for Scunthorpe United, and scored in their 4-2 win against us at Glanford Park, Mustafa Tiryaki grabbed both goals for Rovers that day

In January 2012, Dagnall returned to the Championship to sign for Barnsley, and played alongside fellow January recruit, David Perkins, at Oakwell, and later on, linked up with Mellon after his appointment as assistant manager

He went on to play for Indian side Kerala Blasters and Scottish side Hibernian, helping the latter win the Scottish Cup, ending their 114 year wait to win a major competition.

He returned to England in summer 2016 and represented Crewe and Bury before coming back to Prenton Park.

On being signed by Micky Mellon, he said: "I played with Micky 13 years ago and was at Barnsley when he was assistant manager.

"He’s a top fella and you can see how good a manager he is."

Assessing Rovers’ chances of progressing through the league, he said: “I think they have got the momentum, especially from last year. What they did at Wembley was unbelievable.

“They got the momentum going in the early part of the season and just need to kick on until the end of the season.”

On Dagnall’s return to the club, Rovers boss Micky Mellon said: “We have been trying to get some more Football League quality in to support the rest of the group all over the pitch, really, and are pleased to have been able to do that.

“I know Chris very well from being here at Tranmere and also worked with him at Barnsley, so I know what a good professional footballer he is.

“I know what qualities he can bring to the pitch and what qualities he can bring to the group so, for me, it was an easy decision to make, to bring quality in like that.

“Having played for Tranmere before, so it won’t be his first time at Prenton Park and the fans will know him very, very well, which will obviously help.

“He’s very experienced in how to play up front, knows what’s required while he’s in certain areas of the pitch and works his socks off. He’s a player that you’re pleased to have in your squad.

“He brings a lot of qualities and a lot of Football League experience that we will need in the coming games.

“With the quality of the lads that are coming in, the team is getting stronger and we’re happy with the bits that we have done.

"Now it’s up to us to get the qualities of the lads out and move the group forward.”