TEENAGE defender Nick Wood secured a contract with Tranmere yesterday – then set himself the target of establishing a regular first-team place over the coming season at Prenton Park.
Wood, 19, earned his one-year deal by impressing as a trialist over the last fortnight after being released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the last campaign.
He said: “I am delighted to sign this contract.
“I'm looking forward to the start of the season and hopefully I can push my way through into the side and get a regular starting place.”
Manager Les Parry believes Wood can add extra depth to the club’s defensive resources.
Parry said: “Nick applied himself really well during his trial. He is a talented young player who is strong, good in the air and on the ground.”
Wood played in two pre-season games last week. He scored and helped Rovers keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest last Wednesday and impressed again in a 1-1 draw at Mansfield Town last Saturday.
Tranmere's coaching staff can see potential in a player who came through the ranks of Sheffield Wednesday's youth development system but could not make the breakthrough into first-team football with the Owls.
Parry said: “Nick has fitted in really well with the rest of the squad here and put in good performances against Nottingham Forest and Mansfield. We have a lot of competition for places in defence with Nick joining Ian Goodison, Marlon Broomes, Ash Taylor, Tim Cathalina, Zoumana Bakayogo and Aaron Cresswell in the squad.
“They are all aiming to cement spots in the team and that competition can only be good for the club.”
Tranmere are resigned to being without Taylor in the first four months of the season after the versatile 19-year-old underwent knee surgery last month. Midfielder Alan Mahon is also ruled out for much of the first half of the season with a knee problem.
Tranmere are hoping Broomes and Cathalina can throw off Achilles tendon injuries ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly at Shrewsbury Town.
Wood is Tranmere's fifth signing of the summer.
