Jay Spearing has joined Tranmere Rovers on a two-year deal following his departure from Blackpool at the end of last season.
The former Liverpool midfielder has joined Michael Jackson’s side as his first summer signing who has come into the club, and joins young prospects George Nugent, Kyle Hayde and Jake Burton as new additions for the coming season, who signed professional contracts last month.
Rovers manager Jackson has revealed his delight about getting such a high calibre of player signed up for the new season.
“I am delighted. There has been a lot of hard work that has been put in to get the deal over the line,” he told the club website.
“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,” he added.
Since the current ownership of Mark and Nicola Palios came into Prenton Park the club have always focused on local talent where possible.
Last season the likes of Peter Clarke, Neil Danns and James Vaughan, all with Merseyside connections, were brought in.
Prior to his arrival at Tranmere Rovers, Spearing who has made over 350 career club appearances, played for Liverpool where he came through the ranks, and helped the Reds to silverware winning the League Cup in 2012.
Following that he had a short spell on loan at Leicester City where he made seven appearances before heading back up north to make 125 appearances for Bolton Wanderers.
Spearing then spent a period of time on loan at Blackburn Rovers before moving to the Seaside club where he captained the club and made 110 appearances.
Spearing who is originally from the Wirral and attended Mosslands High School in Wallasey as a teenager, explained to the official club website why the deal was right for him and his family.
He also spoke about how the community is so important at a club like Tranmere Rovers, and praised the activity both on and off the pitch.
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 had 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."
Spearing will now be able to join the rest of the playing squad as they prepare for the 2020/21 season in Sky Bet League two which is scheduled to get underway the weekend commencing Saturday September 12.
