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Page last updated at 13:38 GMT, Tuesday, 14 July 2009 14:38 UK

McLaren back in at Prenton Park

Paul McLaren
McLaren scored three goals in 37 games for Bradford last season

Tranmere Rovers have re-signed midfielder Paul McLaren one year after he left the club for Bradford City.

The 32-year-old, who spent two years at Tranmere previously, has signed a two-year deal after his Bantams deal was cancelled by mutual consent last week.

"In hindsight it probably wasn't the best of moves for me. I found it difficult to settle there," McLaren told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I didn't click there and I didn't play particularly well."

Despite not playing as well as he believed he could have done for Bradford, McLaren is thankful to have had the opportunity to play for the Bantams.

"I can't blame it on the management staff, Stuart McCall and Wayne Jacobs were absolutely brilliant. I can't speak highly enough of those two, it just didn't click for me there and in hindsight it was probably a bit of a mistake to leave," he said.

McLaren believes Tranmere fans can expect to see their team play attractive football next season.

"The two full-backs are going to be pushing right on, he [manager John Barnes] wants the wide men coming in off the line as well and receiving the ball.

"It's quite an attacking formation but his emphasis is on keeping the ball, if it's a risky ball he'd rather you keep the ball," said McClaren.

The gaffer's pedigree is unbelievable... you walk in and he has an aura about him

Paul McClaren on new manager John Barnes

"So I'm looking forward to it and we'll see how it goes."

McLaren has admitted the chance to work with John Barnes was a major factor in him returning to the Wirral.

"The gaffer's pedigree is unbelievable. I was a Watford supporter when I was younger and obviously the gaffer was playing and you walk in and he has an aura about him," he said.



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see also
McLaren's Bradford deal is ended
10 Jul 09 |  Bradford
Mahon returns to Tranmere Rovers
08 Jul 09 |  Tranmere
Middlesbrough sign keeper Coyne
06 Jul 09 |  Middlesbrough
Tranmere's McLaren joins Bradford
01 Jul 08 |  Bradford


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