League One side Blackpool are in talks with Stoke City over a deal to sign former loanee Niall Ennis on a permanent basis, as per Pete O’Rourke.
Ennis’ Career To Date
Ennis started his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he made just one appearance for the first team.
His first loan spell away from Molineux was to Shrewsbury Town, but this stint was cut short due to an injury after the striker had played just one game for his new team.
After spending the 2018/19 season with Wolves’ youth team, where he scored nine times in 20 games in the Premier League 2, he went out on loan to Doncaster Rovers during the 2019/20 campaign.
The Englishman had a solid first season in men’s football, scoring six times in 29 league appearances for Doncaster in League One.
He spent the first half of the following season on loan at Burton Albion before he was signed by Plymouth Argyle in January on a permanent basis.
Ennis scored six times in his first 24 appearances for Argyle but failed to kick on in the following campaign. A hamstring injury which ruled him out for four months saw him score only four goals whilst providing four assists in the entire 2021/22 season.
The Wolverhampton-born man was able to stay injury-free during the 2022/23 campaign and he thrived. Ennis scored 12 goals and made six assists as Steven Schumacher’s men won the League One title.
His good form earned him a move to the Championship with Blackburn Rovers. After scoring on his debut, the striker struggled to make an impact for his new side and he left the club in January to link back up with Schumacher at Stoke City.
His time at the bet365 Stadium was also unsuccessful as he scored just twice in 26 appearances for the Potters.
Ennis dropped back into League One with Blackpool and looked much more threatening, scoring seven times in 19 games in the second half of the 2024/25 season.
Writer’s View
This move should be good for all parties.
Stoke City clearly do not think that Ennis is good enough to lead the line for them so if they are able to accrue a fee for the 26-year-old it would be wise.
Ennis seemed much happier under Steve Bruce at Blackpool in the final few months of last season. The former Newcastle United manager should be able to use his experience to extract the very best out of the striker over the course of a season.
The Tangerines have also lost a potential option up front in Jordan Rhodes and signing Ennis on a permanent basis should help to give them the quality and depth that they will need to win promotion from the third tier next season.
