Former Liverpool forward Tom Ince has joined League Two Tranmere Rovers on a two-year contract. The 34-year-old spent the last eight seasons in the Championship, most recently at Watford where he scored 11 goals in 93 appearances.
Ince started his career at Liverpool before moving to Blackpool in 2011. He went on to play Premier League football with Crystal Palace, Hull City and Huddersfield Town, and also featured for Derby County, Stoke City and Reading.
Ince on his move to Tranmere
“It’s always great when you come to a club like this,” Ince told Rovers’ website. “The good thing about it for me is that I have that hunger and that desire still. I think that’s what has allowed me to have the career that I’ve been able to have.”
Ince made his only Liverpool appearance as a substitute against Northampton Town in the League Cup in September 2010. He left for Blackpool after rejecting a new contract, with his father Paul describing the offer as "derisory".
Liverpool's failed attempt to re-sign Ince
In January 2013, Liverpool tried to re-sign Ince when he was shining at Blackpool. The Reds had a 35% sell-on clause from his departure. Manager Brendan Rodgers wanted to bring him back, but Blackpool rejected Liverpool's offer and communication broke down.
Then-Blackpool boss Michael Appleton said: “Liverpool made an offer two weeks ago but we have not received anything since. It was a case of, 'That's not enough. You'll have to do better if you want him'. Until that changes, he will stay here.”
Ince later recalled: “Liverpool was very close but the Blackpool chairman did not want to be out of pocket because Liverpool owned a percentage of the sell-on fee. He made it difficult and they would not let me go.”
Liverpool instead signed Philippe Coutinho that month. Rodgers admitted the Ince move looked unlikely, saying: "Ince was one where we could have made a deal but it looks like it's a bit complicated."
Rejecting Inter Milan and later career
Ince later turned down a move to Inter Milan when leaving Blackpool in 2014, opting to join Hull City. He later regretted that decision, telling The Athletic in 2021: “I think the situation with Inter Milan and Monaco (are regrets)… If that situation came about now I wouldn’t think twice.”
Ince's Premier League spells at Crystal Palace, Hull and Huddersfield were underwhelming. He enjoyed his best form in the Championship with Blackpool and Derby County. After stints at Stoke, Luton and Reading, he now joins Tranmere.
While Liverpool once sought to correct the mistake of losing Ince, his failure to return ultimately proved a blessing in disguise for the Reds.
