'Pioneer' - Sheffield Wednesday promotion hero seals move to his boyhood League Two club
Will Vaulks made almost 100 appearances for SWFC
Owls promotion hero Will Vaulks has signed for his boyhood club, Tranmere Rovers, where he first started his career.
The 32-year-old, who was part of Sheffield Wednesday’s promotion-winning squad from League One in 2023, has returned to Prenton Park after leaving Oxford United, who were relegated to the third-tier with Wednesday last season. It means Vaulks, who scored against The Owls last season, will miss out on playing them again in the new campaign.
Vaulks left Hillsborough in 2024 to sign a longer-term contract at Oxford, making 88 appearances, scoring twice. Just like at all his other clubs, the central midfielder made a fantastic impression off the pitch with his community work, in particular establishing an award-winning suicide prevention scheme, leading to nationally and international recognition.
Announcing his departure, Oxford said he was a ‘pioneer’, adding: “More than just a footballer, he will be remembered for his impact beyond the pitch. We will continue to drive your important work forward.
The former Wales international, who started in the academy at Tranmere, has now returned to the club where it all started, penning a two-year contract at the League Two outfit.
“I’m grateful to be back,” he said. “I spent 10 years at the club, but never played a first-team game, so this is a move that has been on my mind for a number of years now. I really wanted to come back to my boyhood club. I made it clear that I wasn’t going anywhere else, other than to Tranmere, it was the club I wanted to join. I’m a Wirral boy and I can’t wait to give everything for the club.”
Rovers manager, Darrell Clarke, added: “We’re delighted to bring Will back to the football club. He’s had an excellent career, playing a lot of football at Championship level, and he brings real experience, leadership and quality into the middle of the pitch. He knows what the club means to the people of the Wirral and he understands the standards that are expected here. He’s still got a real hunger to be successful, and his character, professionalism and know-how will be invaluable to the group. He’s a very good addition for us and we’re looking forward to working with him.”