Tranmere Rovers have announced the signing of veteran attacker Tom Ince on a two-year deal following his release from Championship outfit Watford.
The 34-year-old arrives in Merseyside in what will be his maiden season in League Two, hoping to recapture form that has seen him spend most of his career at Premier League and Championship level.
A Career Defined Higher Up
Ince came through Liverpool’s academy and got his first taste of senior football on loan at Notts County, where he rediscovered his style playing under his dad, Paul. After turning down a new deal at Anfield, he joined Blackpool, dropping into the Championship, and quickly becoming one of the division’s standout young talents
His goals and form earned him the Football League Young Player of the Year award and regular transfer talk, with fees of around £8 million and big Premier League and European clubs linked. Ince eventually had spells with Crystal Palace, Hull, Derby, Huddersfield and Stoke, with further loans at Nottingham Forest, Luton and Reading. At Derby he found real consistency, hitting double figures and becoming their top scorer, and later reunited with his father again, this time in a tough spell at Reading.
Latterly, a low‑cost move to Watford, reportedly around £50,000, gave him another platform, where he chipped in with goals, assists and even cup hat‑tricks before being released at the end of the previous season.
“I Have That Hunger And That Desire Still”
Speaking to Tranmere Rovers official website, Ince said:
“It’s a great feeling, bit full circle for me. I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s always great when you come to a club like this. The good thing about it for me is that I have that hunger and that desire still. I think that’s what’s allowed me to have the career that I’ve been able to have, the amount of games I’ve been able to play and the level I’ve been able to reach.”
A Step In The Right Direction
Following a poor 21st-place finish last season, just two spots above the drop with a final-day draw against Grimsby Town enough to secure survival, Tranmere will know they need to find success before it’s too late.
New manager Darrell Clarke arrives at Prenton Park with serious League Two credibility, having previously led Bristol Rovers and guided Port Vale to promotion, and will be tasked with injecting fresh energy and optimism into a club drifting in the wrong direction.
A recent string of solid signings underlines that intent. Former Wrexham midfielder Jordan Davies and highly rated Lincoln City winger Zane Okoro have both come in to sharpen their attacking edge. Now Tom Ince adds immediate proven quality and big-game experience to that mix. If he can quickly settle and stay fit, Ince has the profile to become a key player in the division next season.
