Tranmere have completed the signing of experienced midfielder Jay Spearing on a free transfer today.
Wirral-born Spearing, 31, has penned a two-year deal and becomes new manager Mike Jackson’s first signing.
Spearing chose to turn down a new deal with Blackpool at the end of last season and had been widely tipped to join Bolton or Sunderland. However, Spearing has instead signed for Rovers as they look to assemble a squad capable of challenging for an immediate return to League One.
A product of Liverpool’s Academy, the midfielder played 30 times for the Anfield club before having spells with Leicester City, Bolton, Blackburn and Blackpool.
Speaking to the official club website, Jackson was understandably pleased to get the deal completed. He said: “I am delighted. There has been a lot of hard work that has been put in to get the deal over the line.
“We have got someone who is a leader, he sets standards and he is a winner. He will be great in the dressing room, he will set the standard like some of the other lads here already.
“I am made up. A lot of hard work has gone into making sure the deal happened.
“He lives in the area; his Nan actually lives very close to the training ground. He knows the people, he knows what it means to represent Tranmere Rovers.
“He still has an unbelievable appetite for football, and that is what you want. For a first signing, I couldn’t ask for anymore.
“His standards and his history speak for itself. I know the sort of player I want to bring into the dressing room and what we need, and I have identified that from the start. He was a player we wanted from the start, it has taken a while, but I am delighted it is now done.”
Spearing himself also spoke of his pleasure at joining the club, one with whom he has been linked with several times before.
Spearing said: “I was very impressed with meeting the Gaffer (Mike Jackson) and he sealed the deal for me. His ambition and the way he wanted to go about things, it was an important thing for me to hear and see.
“I also know the assistant manager, Ian Dawes, and he put his points across very well. After speaking to them, it was an easy decision to make.
“I have family who are massive Tranmere Rovers fans, they were delighted when they found out the news. My nephew was sending me all sorts of Tranmere Rovers songs and he has been texting me all day asking when will the news be announced.
“Tranmere is so important to this community. It is a massive football club and the activities the Club do away from the pitch is fantastic. The history is fantastic, everything about it is great. It is a football club that needs to go again.”
