Blackpool have completed the signing of Ryan Finnigan from Southampton on a permanent basis until the summer of 2026.
Finnigan joins the Tangerines having most recently turned out on loan for fellow League One side Shrewsbury Town. His time with Salop did however not go quite to plan, with various injuries leading to the youngster making just three appearances in all competitions.
The season prior, Finnigan would announce himself in the professional game with a successful loan spell with Crewe Alexandra in the second half of the season. During that spell, he would help an improved Crewe side to 13th in the League One table and looked like a player who possessed far more experience than that of a then-19-year-old.
Now 20, the midfielder is expected to build on that potential he showed on loan last season and has been rewarded with a permanent contract with Blackpool.
Finnigan would spend the majority of his youth career in the incredibly successful Southampton academy and was named on the bench for several Premier League fixtures last season despite never making an appearance.
He now joins a side who are looking to make the step-up to the Championship next season in the form of Blackpool. Neil Critchley’s men currently sit four points off of the play-offs in eighth place, and are unbeaten in their last four.
With improved performances in recent weeks there is no reason why they cannot make the play-offs this season and the signing of Finnigan will provide vital depth prior to him potentially becoming a key player for the club.
Speaking to club media on the signing of Finnigan, head coach Neil Critchley said:
“Ryan fits the profile of what we would describe as a ‘Blackpool player.’
“He has very good technical qualities, displays an outstanding work ethic and is a young player that has a desire to improve.We welcome Ryan to the Club and look forward to helping him develop as a player in the future.”
Upon arriving at the club, Finnigan added:
“This is a move I’m really looking forward to and can’t wait to get started here.
“Blackpool stood out to me as the perfect place to be to help me develop during the next stage of my career. I’m by no means the finished article, so to work under a Head Coach here with the reputation he has for developing younger players is really exciting.
“This is a massive Club with huge potential and hopefully I can play my part to help this Club push to where it deserves to be.”
Writer’s View
Finnigan has the potential to be a very exciting signing for Blackpool and at just 20 years of age, there is no reason why he cannot become a mainstay in the midfield in the coming years.
Automatic promotion may look out of reach for Critchley’s men this season but they have a great chance of making the play-offs if able to continue their current run of form. Being an ambitious side, reaching the play-offs was probably the bare minimum for the club at the start of the season.
Although he may not be integrated into the starting lineup straight away, Finnigan should pick up playing opportunities throughout the season, and if performing well, there is no reason why he cannot break into the starting lineup this year.
