TRANMERE Rovers striker James Norwood is leaving the club to join Ipswich Town, it has been confirmed this evening.

Norwood, who joined Rovers in 2015, played an integral role in helping the Club secure back-to-back promotions from the National League, making just shy of 200 appearances.

News that he was joining Ipswich Town was confirmed on Rovers' website.

Norwood said: “It has been a special journey and obviously last season was incredible.

"I am so happy we have achieved promotion to League One and the Club can only kick on from this point.

“It has been a new home for me, the memories will stay with me forever.

"This is a massive Club and the way we have won back-to-back promotions is a really special story. Tranmere Rovers will always have a special place in my heart.

“The Club and the fans have stuck with me through some tough times. I have built up an amazing relationship with the Super White Army.

“It is something so special and incredible to share a personal relationship with the fans and I can’t thank them enough. I don’t think they realise how important they are, they are the driving force behind this Club.

“Tranmere have a Chairman doing everything he can to get the players closer to the fans every year and you can now see the results.

“We have been achieving things that Tranmere should be achieving and it is certainly a Club moving in the right direction.

"A key factor for me now is that both my mum and dad are retired. I wanted to be closer to them, my family and my friends.

“I phoned the Chairman and told him everything and I said I would like to come back in some capacity one day, whether it is a player, a coach or a fan.

"This is a place that will always hold a place in my heart, and I want to see the Club continue to do well. I would love to one day pull on the famous white shirt again!

“There is a togetherness at Tranmere Rovers which I don’t think too many football clubs have. I will always be a Tranmere Rovers supporter now and I hope we go and get three in a row!”

“I can’t thank you all enough, from the Chairman, to Nicola, to the manager, the lads and of course, the fans.”

Chairman Mark Palios said: “James came to Prenton Park when the Club was at its lowest ebb and in his four years more than fulfilled his contract, playing a major part in the Club’s return to the EFL and then to League One.

“The SWA appreciated his efforts for the cause and, of course, his goals. Whilst we made every effort to keep him, we respect his decision to move on and wish him well for the future.

“From Nicola’s and my personal perspective, James symbolises the last five years of effort by all that constitutes Tranmere Rovers Football Club and we wish him success.”

Manager Micky Mellon concluded: “We'd like to thank James for all of his fantastic effort. I've enjoyed working with him.

"I have loved watching his development at Tranmere Rovers over the last few years and we wish him well on his ongoing journey, except when he plays against Tranmere.

“He will always have a special place in the memories of the staff and the fans.”