Rovers Sign Devaney

Former Barnsley winger Martin Devaney joins Tranmere on a one-year deal to boost Les Parry's currently small squad......

Tranmere Rovers have today completed the signing of former Barnsley winger Martin Devaney on a one-year contract, with the 31-year old signing on a free transfer.

A former Ireland school boy international, Devaney made his professional debut for Cheltenham during the 1999/2000 season after failing to break through into the Coventry City first team, where he came through the youth ranks.

He remained with Cheltenham for six years and became a hugely popular and important player for the club, netting 43 goals over 222 appearances for the club, helping the Robins into the Football League in the process.

In 2005 he left the Whaddon Road club for Watford on a free transfer before just one month later joining Barnsley, also on a free transfer, after failing to play for the Hornets.

He again made himself a vital player for the Yorkshire club over another six year spell, helping Barnsley back into the Championship in the process, but over the last two years he has struggled to hold down a regular place in the team and found himself out on loan at MK Dons and Walsall in League One.

Last season he impressed against Tranmere for Walsall, despite the Saddlers losing the game 4-1, and it was that performance that prompted Rovers manager Les Parry to track the player this summer.

After coming into the club on trial yesterday, Devaney has now put pen to paper on a one year contract with the club, with Rovers boss Les Parry saying..

"He's a great crosser of the ball, can beat players and pick out a team mate. He'll add creativity to our team and look to get forward as often as he can, providing some great opportunities for our strikers."

Devaney has made a total of 415 appearances across twelve years as a professional, netting 63 goals, and he will be keen to add significantly to both those totals for Tranmere this season.