Former Rovers midfielder Richie Smallwood hopes his experience can help his new team-mates at Tranmere as he prepares for another season in League Two.
Smallwood helped Bradford win promotion from the fourth tier last term but departed Valley Parade upon the expiry of his contract.
The 34-year-old’s move to Prenton Park was confirmed last week, penning a one-year deal on Merseyside.
"The manager [Andy Crosby] acted so quickly and so professionally,” Smallwood told the club channels.
"We had a Zoom call, and he told me how he sees the team playing and where he sees me in that. Once I heard that, we were practically agreed.
"Experience goes a long way in football, and managers and coaches love a bit of experience in the group to help and nurture the young lads in the group.
"I've done a few different leadership roles at my last couple of clubs and really enjoyed it. Hopefully, the young lads can learn off how I go about things day to day and that can help us have some success."
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Tranmere finished 20th in League Two last season, nine points above the relegation zone. Crosby was appointed on a permanent basis in May following a positive stint as interim boss.
“The style of play that the manager wants is pretty similar to what I'm used to from the last couple of seasons and he sees me as one of the number sixes,” Smallwood added.
"He wants to play on the front foot and that style of play suits me. That was a big point of our conversation and from that moment I was ready to come.
"Nowadays, I'm more of a six than an eight. I can get up and around the box, but my work tends to be about organising and screening the backline.
"I'm also combative and I like to get in people's faces and be a bit ugly, a bit nasty and all energy. I'm pretty versatile in the position depending on what the manager asks of me.
“But I tend to play behind the ball and play with a more attacking six or eight and be recycling the ball, stopping counter attacks and getting the ball to the more flair players who ae going to help us win the game."
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