Free agent signs for relegated club after Tranmere Rovers exit
05/30/2024 05:35 AM
Livingston have signed Reece McAlear on a pre-contract agreement from Tranmere Rovers, as announced by their official club website.
Tranmere Rovers have decided not to extend the midfielder’s deal at Prenton Park this summer following the end of the 2023/24 season in League Two. They finished in 16th position in the table under Nigel Adkins and will be aiming to compete higher up the league next term.
McAlear, 22, has now penned an initial one-year contract with Livingston following their relegation to the Scottish Championship. They ended the past campaign bottom of the Scottish Premiership and have dropped into the second tier.
However, the Lions have confirmed that they have an option to extend his stay at the Almondvale Stadium by a further 12 months if they gain an immediate promotion back to the top flight. David Martindale’s side have been busy on the transfer front over recent weeks and have made eight signings already.
New home for departed Tranmere Rovers man
McAlear’s exit from Tranmere Rovers has freed up space and funds in their ranks to bring in other reinforcements this summer.
He wasn’t the only player to be released by the Birkenhead outfit, with Jean Belehouan, Mikey Davies, Ben Hockenhull, Rhys Hughes, Charlie Jolley, Ousmane Kane, Luis Lacey, Paul Lewis, Dan Pike, Conor Robson, Joe Starbuck and Joe Yarney all heading out the exit door as well.
The Whites signed McAlear back in 2022 and he went on to make 48 appearances for them in all competitions, chipping in two assists. He was also loaned out to Ayr United last year to get some game time under his belt.
He rose up through the academy ranks at Motherwell before he was snapped up as a youngster by Norwich City back in 2019.
The Glasgow-born man was shipped out to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a temporary basis by the Canaries before he cut ties with them permanently two years ago.
McAlear’s switch to Livingston sees him move closer to home and will provide him with a platform to get regular minutes.
What next for Tranmere Rovers?
Tranmere Rovers have the chance to bring in some new faces over the coming months as they look to bolster their ranks.
They have an experienced manager at the helm in Adkins and he will be looking to use his contacts in the game from his previous stints with the likes of Southampton, Reading, Hull City and Charlton Athletic to acquire reinforcements.
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