DEAN KEATES has finally got his man.

Keates, who left Wrexham to take charge of hometown Walsall in March, has completed the signing of prolific striker Andy Cook from Tranmere Rovers on a two-year deal.

While manager at The Racecourse, Keates was keen on signing the 27-year-old but Tranmere were reluctant to sell.

It was a wise decision by manager Micky Mellon as Cook was leading scorer in the National League in the 2017-18 campaign, helping Rovers clinch promotion after beating Boreham Wood 2-1 in the play-off final, with the frontman scoring one of the goals.

But after helping Tranmere return to the Football League, Cook, who was out of contract at the end of the season, has decided to made the switch to Walsall who avoided relegation from League One.

Mellon told the official club website: "We’d have loved to have Andy with us for our first season back in League Two but recognise his desire to test himself at a higher level and we hope he is as successful at his new club as he was with us."

Cook, who started his career at Carlisle United and also had spells with Grimsby Town and Barrow, joined Tranmere in the summer of 2016 and scored 51 goals in two seasons at Prenton Park.

Keates told saddlers.co.uk: “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 have gotten 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.”