Savage and O’Callaghan Sign for Superwhites
By Deadly Submarine
July 10 2008
As rumoured earlier today, Tranmere today completed the signings of both Bas Savage and George O’Callaghan on two year deals. Striker Savage joins from Millwall whilst O’Callaghan recently left Irish side Cork City with a view to moving to Prenton Park.
The rumours surrounding Bas Savage and George O'Callaghan which we reported on earlier today have tonight been confirmed as both men signed for the Club on two-year deals and in time to make their debuts against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Irish midfielder O'Callaghan is 28 and has most recently played in the Eircom Irish League for Cork City who are his hometown Club.
Having begun his playing career in England for Port Vale, O'Callaghan spent four years at Vale Park before returning home to play for Cork City. In his time there he won an Irish League winners medal in 2005 and in the same season was named the League's Player of the Year.
George O'Callaghan (left) in Action for Ipswich Town
In five years at Cork City, George scored 23 times from midfield in 150 appearances before moving back to England in January 2007 to play for Ipswich Town. After just a year back in England which included a loan spell at Brighton and Hove Albion, O'Callaghan returned to Cork City in January 2008 and scored nine goals from midfield in just seventeen appearances before deciding this summer to leave Cork once more to join Tranmere.
O'Callaghan should be able to make his debut against Liverpool on Saturday although his move is subject to International clearance from the Irish FA and speaking to the Official Tranmere Rovers Website, O'Callaghan commented......
"I'm really happy to come to Tranmere and I'm looking forward to the start of the season."
"Hopefully I'll be able to score quite a few goals from midfield and create some chances for my new team mates as well."
O'Callaghan is joined at Tranmere today by a former club mate from his loan spell at Brighton as striker Bas Savage also signed a two year deal at Prenton Park after being told he could not be guaranteed first team football at Millwall next season.
Despite only being 26, the move to Tranmere takes Savage's total number of career Clubs to eight, with six of them being in the last four years since 2004.
Bas Savage in his Millwall Days
Prior to joining Millwall, Savage spent the season before at two different League One clubs, firstly Gillingham and then Brighton and Hove Albion where he teamed up with George O'Callaghan.
Other previous clubs include Bristol City and his first Club Reading, with loan spells at Bury and Wycombe in between.
Savage has always been a thorn in Rovers side particularly when playing for Gillingham and Brighton so Rovers fans will be hoping he can play well in a white shirt for Rovers as well as against it. Savage spoke to the Official Tranmere Rovers Website earlier and stated...
"I'm delighted to sign for Tranmere. They're a big club in League One and I've been impressed with the facilities here."
"The Manager said he was looking for presence up front and I'll provide that."
Speaking of both the new signings, Ronnie Moore told the Official Tranmere Rovers Website....
"I'm really pleased with both signings. George is a creative goalscoring midfielder. He is good on the ball, can pick out a pass and can shoot with either foot. He will add quality to the centre of our midfield.
"Last season we were lacking goals from midfield and George will play a big part in solving that. He has an exceptional strike rate for a midfielder."
"Bas is a big, strong centre forward who is excellent in the air. He's a very competitive player who leads the line well and creates chances for others. He's one of the best hold-up target players at this level and will give us something different to the strikers who are already at the Club."
With the squad now starting to take shape, we will bring you any further transfer news as we get it but for now, why not discuss the new signings on our Message Board?
But i cant stress how disappointed i am that we hav signed such a bag of sh*** that is Bas Savage, i don't usually judge players before ive seen them in r colours but from his record and wat every1 else has said I am going to, coz he will be shite and i hope he proves me wrong but i seriously doubt it.
Two-year deal as well, ffs.
and i think callaghan will be better than macca in time!
O'Callaghan on the other hand appears to be a potential thorn in the dressing room from reports from other clubs and despite having loads of talent thinks he's bigger than the club - sean thornton springs to mind - I hope he's matured but lets give them all a fair crack at the whip - this season is gonna be a tough 1 and we gotta get behind these lads and breed confidence from the start else we're in for another disappointing season!
Bas is getting slated a lot but there aint many big centre forward in are league and he is the striker we are looking for as Ronnie says hes a big centre forward who will bring players into the game this is the striker we need - delighted.
i am not going to slate him like some people are before iv even seem him play for the club.
give him a chance!
Thanks for the information on him!
will be the best signing of the season (for us)
He once compared himself to a cross between Joey Barton and George Best... I'd agree with that: he's got Joey Barton's bad attitude and, just like George Best, he likes to be seen out in the clubs... but that's where the comparison ends. He tries way too hard to be fancy but loses the ball a lot, and then gives up instead of trying to win possession back.
My prediction is that he'll start out well at Tranmere, but after making an impression he'll have some falling out with someone and will sulk his way out of Prenton Park. I just hope that he doesn't end up back at Turner's Cross, where he thinks he's too good for anyway.
wot happened with u sub?
Liam will be able to say if that is exactly right!
He gave us many happy moments...Best of luck Georgie!