Bristol Rovers forward Harvey Saunders has joined Tranmere Rovers on a permanent deal.
The 25-year-old was coveted by several League Two clubs, but he has headed to Prenton Park after an 18-month stay at the Mem. He made 43 appearances, scoring five goals.
Saunders was part of the team that won promotion to League One last season, but he has been on the fringes for much of his time with the Gas and he has left in pursuit of regular first-team football.
The former Fleetwood Town striker, who had six months left on his Rovers contract, has penned an 18-month deal with Tranmere, who are 15th in League Two table but remain in contention for the play-offs.
Hartlepool United were also interested in doing a deal for the player, but Tranmere have agreed an undisclosed fee with the Gas.
Rovers manager Joey Barton admitted he did not want to let Saunders go after sharing news of his imminent exit on Thursday.
"We’ve had a fee we’re happy with for Harv," he said. "He’s a great lad and he’s desperate to go and play.
"I kind of want to keep him because we’re a little bit short in areas, but it’s not the right thing to do for the kid and I can’t keep him as an insurance policy for other people getting injured.
"He has been a great servant for me in my coaching career. He has done brilliantly, but he is desperate to get on and get playing regularly and I think he’s going to have opportunities to do that.
"It allows us to recoup some money that we can invest, hopefully, back in the side."
Saunders was a popular player on the terraces thanks to his high-energy cameos from the bench, and he popped up with a couple of important goals last season including the winner against Oldham Athletic.
His two goals this season came in the EFL Trophy. He made 12 League One appearances, with nine of them coming from the bench.
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