Micky Mellon has given Tranmere supporters ‘one of their own’ in his squad rebuild plan, with the acquisition of midfielder Ryan Watson.
The 27-year-old, who scored eight times in League One last season for Northampton Town, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract at Prenton Park.
Watson, who lives in New Brighton, grew up as a Rovers supporter and his family are Tranmere fans.
Returning boss Mellon said: “We have been working extremely hard to get this deal done. Ryan attracted interest from a number of clubs, but he only wanted to play for Tranmere.
“He is from New Brighton; he is a local lad and his family are Tranmere Rovers supporters.
“It is a brilliant that we are bringing more local lads back to the club with the quality Ryan possesses.
“He is a very talented player and everyone can see that by just looking at his stats and he can only make us better as a team.
“He has real energy and a desire to score goals. The added bonus that Ryan is a Tranmere man made the deal a no brainer.
“At the end of the day, if I could have 11 Tranmere fans playing for this club, how good would that be? So, when the opportunity presented itself to get a boy who grew up as a Tranmere fan, with the talent he has, it is a brilliant signing.
“When I spoke to Ryan, I felt both his and his family’s passion for the club. I can’t wait for his family to see him play for Tranmere.”
If Mellon is looking for players with experience of succeeding in League Two then he has certainly found that in Watson, who has twice won promotion to League One with MK Dons and Northampton Town.
And it is clear that the player himself is thrilled to make the move to Prenton Park.
He told the club’s website: “It is a special move for me and my family. I am really excited to be here, and I hope to help the club win promotion. The aim is to get the club back to where we belong.
“I had a few options where to go next but the ambition of the club after speaking with the manager, the vision is clear that we want to have a good season and win promotion.
“This is what I want to do, it is an exciting project, and I can’t wait to get started.
“It will be a special moment when I get the chance to pull on the Tranmere shirt. I have watched Tranmere since I was a kid, and it is like a dream has come true.
“The club means a lot to me and my family, it is a good day.
Watson will likely line up alongside Tranmere’s Player of the Year, Jay Spearing, creating a Wirral heart in Rovers’ midfield and the former Cobblers player is keen to demonstrate his value to returning supporters.
He added: “I am a box-to-box midfielder. I do like to chip in with a few goals so hopefully I can do the same next season.
“It will mean a lot to me to help the team win promotion. I know exactly how important the crowd can be at Prenton Park, I have been many times before, and hopefully as many as possible will be at the stadium.”
Two more familiar faces will be back at Prenton Park next season after signing new contracts with the club.
Midfielders Kieron Morris and Liam Feeney have both signed one year contracts with the latter turning his season long loan from Blackpool into a permanent move.
But one player whose Tranmere career is finally over is experienced left-back Liam Ridehalgh, who has been released after eight seasons with the club and was Rovers’ current longest-serving player.
In his time with the club, Tranmere were relegated three times and promoted twice during a rollercoaster period.
He was also sent off in the first minute of the National League play-off final against Boreham Wood at Wembley in a match Rovers went on to win 2-1, returning to the Football League after three years in non-league football.
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