Pic: David Holmes
THEY may be without a permanent manager but Tranmere Rovers have still dipped into the transfer market, signing Southport forward Louis Almond.
Almond, 24, began his career with Blackpool but struggled to break into the first team and following loan spells with Cheltenham Town, Barrow and Lincoln City, he signed for Hyde on a permanent basis in August 2014.
He scored four goals in 28 league games as the Tigers were relegated from the Conference and subsequently joined Southport in February 2015.
Almond netted 12 times last season for Southport as they escaped relegation from Non-League‘s top tier and he had started this season well, scoring three times for the Sandgrounders.
Rovers will be hoping the signing will boost a squad that are without a win in four games – a run that cost boss Gary Brabin his job.
Tranmere interim manager Paul Carden knows about Almond – who has joined for an undisclosed fee and signed a deal until the end of the 2017-18 season – from his time in charge of Southport.
He told the Rovers website; “Louis is someone I know well having worked with him before and I know what he can offer the team.
“He is a clever player who is different to the other attacking players who are already at the club. He’s at a good age and has had a good start to the season with Southport.
“Other clubs in this division and the one above were interested in him but he wants to come here and be a part of what the club is looking to achieve.”
