Tranmere have a history of re-signing former players, not least current manager Micky Mellon who had two playing spells with the club.
While most of the returns of former players don’t go well, it never stops the speculation whenever a former player becomes available.
So with that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at five former players who are possibly looking around League One or League Two level for their next move, and are without a club currently.
Would you have any of them back?
Zoumana Bakayogo
Affectionately known as “Zoum”, Bakayogo became a crowd favourite at Prenton Park after John Barnes signed the full-back from Millwall. Barnes had gone before he made his debut and the player enjoyed four years at Rovers from 2009 to 2013.
He left to join Leicester City in the Championship during the summer of 2013 but saw his career ruined by serious injury. He subsequently began playing again with Crewe but failed to truly recapture previous form.
Now 31, Zoum is on the lookout for a new club having left Crewe in May. Would he provide cover at left-back?
Dale Jennings
Few youngsters to have come through Tranmere’s academy have had more natural ability than Dale Jennings. He sprung to prominence with some incredible goals as a teenager in the Rovers first team and secured a staggering move to German giants Bayern Munich.
Sadly, things didn’t work out for him in Germany, and despite spells with Barnsley and MK Dons back in England, his career has fizzled out. He is without a club and said to be looking for a return to the game. Worth a trial?
Joss Labadie
Joss Labadie joined Tranmere from WBA in 2010, initially on loan, before he penned a two-year deal. An all-action midfielder, Labadie initially looked like a real prospect but seemed to lose his way at Prenton Park. A questionable disciplinary record didn’t help, and he ended up dropping down the divisions in to League Two and briefly the National League.
However, now 27, Labadie seems to have found his feet again and has just completed a fine season at Newport County where he is captain. Newport boss Mike Flynn is desperate to keep Labadie, however, he is out of contract and expected to leave the club.
Would he add some bite and competition to Tranmere’s midfield? Possibly, but we’d also need to factor in him being out with a serious knee injury until October at the earliest.
Matty Kennedy
Winger Matty Kennedy only played a few games for Tranmere on loan from Everton back in 2014, but he was impressive enough in a Rovers shirt. Still just 23, he has since had spells with Cardiff City, Hibernian and spent last season in League One on loan at Portsmouth.
Probably out of Tranmere’s price range, not to mention him being unlikely to drop to League Two, he will make an excellent signing for someone this summer. He’s expected to head back north of the border to the SPL.
Steve Davies
Forward Steve Davies looked a tremendous prospect when he arrived on the first team scene at Tranmere back in 2005. He scored 5 goals in 60 first team appearances before leaving for Derby County in somewhat controversial circumstances. Last seen considerably over-weight scoring for Rochdale against Tottenham last season, Davies is now without a club.
Would we go back there given how he left the club last time around? He’s now aged 30 and at the very least needs a good pre-season!
