Walsall Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of hot-shot striker Andy Cook from Tranmere Rovers on a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a tremendous season at Prenton Park, scoring 28 goals as Rovers won promotion back to the EFL, including one in the play-off final victory over Boreham Wood.
Out of contract, his goals attracted plenty of interest but he chose to commit his future to The Saddlers.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Cook told saddlers.co.uk. “I’ve scored 51 goals in the last two years at National League level and now I want to prove myself in the EFL.
“This is a big step up to a big club. I know the manager from his time at Wrexham and I know what he is about. I’m excited by the challenge and where he wants to take the club.”
Manager Dean Keates added: “He’s somebody I’ve admired for a long time. As soon as I got the job here and knew he was out of contract, I made him my primary target.
"I’m delighted to get this over the line as there were plenty of clubs in for him – his record speaks for itself – and I’m looking forward to working with him. I have no qualms about him stepping up to League One.”
Born in Bishop Auckland, Cook started out with Carlisle and enjoyed two loan spells with Barrow before joining them permanently in January 2011.
A return of 18 goals in 60 outings earned him a move to Grimsby, where he reached the Conference Premier play-offs twice.
He rejoined Barrow in July 2014 and netted 23 times as the Bluebirds were crowned 2014/15 Conference North champions.
Cook notched 24 goals in 2015/16 – his final season at Holker Street before leaving for Tranmere.
He broke the 20-goal barrier again the following campaign, scoring 23 as Rovers finished second and reached the Conference Premier play-off final.
The 2017/18 season was the most impressive of Cook’s career to date.
Not only did he score 28 goals, he grabbed a quadruple in a 4-2 victory over Gateshead and helped himself to 16 goals in a 15-game period between January and April.
He also netted a bullet header in ten-man Rovers’ promotion-clinching 2-1 triumph over Boreham Wood in the National League play-off final at Wembley.
Cook has been assigned the number nine shirt for the new campaign.
As well as the above teaser, the Saddlers' new look will be officially unveiled later this week...