Rovers Make First Signings Of The Summer

Last updated : 22 June 2006 By Matthew Jones
Stockdale during his Middlesbrough Days
Tranmere Rovers have made their first signings of the summer, as Robbie Stockdale and Kevin Ellison join Tranmere from Championship Club Hull City.

Both players have signed two-year contracts, Stockdale on a free transfer whereas Ellison, who still had a year left on his current deal at Hull has signed for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £100,000.

Stockdale, a right-back, has Premiership and International experience for Middlesbrough, where he played over 50 games, and Scotland, for whom the 26 year-old has been capped five times.

Stockdale can also list Rotherham United, where he played under Ronnie Moore and Hull City as his former clubs along with Middlesbrough.

Ellison mean while also has Premiership experience, where he played for Leicester City, but most of his career has been played in the lower divisions for Altrincham, Stockport County, Chester City and laterly Hull City.

Tranmere beat off competition for the 27-year old from Scunthorpe United, Bristol City and his former club Chester City to land the midfielders signature.

Ellison told the Official Tranmere site that "There were a few clubs interested in me, but once I found out Tranmere were interested in me this was the place I wanted to be."

These are two big signings for Rovers, which signal their ambition for the current season. The signing of Kevin Ellison especially shows the club are willing to move forward, as Ellison is the first player Rovers have splashed out the cash on for a number of seasons, since Simon Haworth signed many years ago from Wigan.