Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore swoops for young Liverpool star Charlie Barnett
Story by Nick Hilton
TRANMERE manager Ronnie Moore captured former Liverpool midfield player Charlie Barnett on a one-year contract last night and declared: "This is a brilliant signing."
The 19-year-old has been lighting up Tranmere's pre-season performances over the last three week, impressing coaching staff and supporters with his passing skills.
Moore said: "This is a brilliant signing for the club and it's one I'm very excited about. Charlie has done really well in pre-season with us.
"He has all the Liverpool traditions - he's got great touch, vision and technique. He'll bring a touch of artistry to the side and I'm sure he'll go a long way in the game, hopefully with Tranmere."
Barnett developed through the Liverpool Academy and was a member of the Reds' FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2006.
He left Anfield at the end of last season with the intention of re-launching his career at a club where he had a better chance of breaking into first-team football.
Tranmere's recruitment of Barnett follows on from the loan signing of Liverpool defender Godwin Antwi last week and a pre-season friendly between the Merseyside neighbours earlier in July.
He is Moore's seventh signing of the summer following the arrival of Gareth Edds, Edrissa Sonko, George O'Callaghan, Bas Savage, Luke Waterfall and Antwi at Prenton Park.
Moore added: "It's nice to see the growing links between Tranmere and Liverpool. The friendly against them was a great day for football on Merseyside and we've since signed two of their players."
Barnett said last night: "I'm really happy to have signed. I just want to get started now and play some games.
"I've enjoyed my time here so far, the lads have been great with me and the coaching staff have helped me settle in."
Barnett will be available for Tranmere's pre-season friendly against Blackpool at Prenton Park tomorrow.
Meanwhile Moore is urging Bas Savage to show he has the muscle as well as the movement to upset League One defences in the coming season.
The six-foot-three striker has been showing confidence on the ball in succession of pre-season appearances following arriving at Prenton Park three weeks ago.
But Moore says he wants Savage and to make full use of his height and power in the opposition penalty area to give Rovers an additional attacking option.
Moore said: "I want to see Bas being a bit more physical for us, getting headers at the far post, knocking balls back for our players and knocking opposition players about.
"Most of our strikers - Chris Greenacre, Ian Moore, Craig Curran and Terry Gornell - are similar types.
"They are quick and mobile and not very big. Bas is more in the Calvin Zola mode.
"He has a physical presence that can be valuable to us."
Londoner Savage, a well travelled front men who join Rovers from Millwall this summer, is likely to play some part in Tranmere's friendly encounter with Championship club Blackpool.
The visit of the Seasiders marks the final home game of Tranmere's pre-season programme, although they have a date with UniBond League Premier Division part-timers Cammell Laird next Monday evening.
The side Moore selects for the Blackpool game should provide some clues to how Rovers line up in their opening League One fixture at Swindon Town on Saturday, August 9.
Winger Chris Shuker looks to have dropped out of the running for a starting place, as he struggles to shake off a knee injury.
Admission to most areas of Prenton Park for the match with Blackpool game is £7 for adults and £3 for senior citi- zens, young persons and juniors.
Wirral-born winger Mike Jones has been given the chance to re-launch his professional career with Bury. He is due to sign a 12-month contract with the League Two club next week.
The 20-year-old was released by Tranmere last season after playing a dozen first-team games in the last two years.
But he quickly impressed in a pre-season trial with the Shakers this summer and made a positive impact in a series of warm-up games over recent weeks.
That convinced Bury manager Alan Knill to offer Jones a permanent deal that the youngster is due to formally sign on Monday.
Knill believes Bury are investing in potential: "I think we have found a good one in Michael. He can play on his right foot or his left. He is a very good footballer and 20 we have enough time to work with him."
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