Blackpool manager Steve Bruce has given a crucial transfer update ahead of the 2025/26 League One season.
The Seasiders have been busy in the summer transfer window already, bringing five players to Bloomfield Road, whilst five other players have left.
Mass Turnover at Blackpool
Centre-backs Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe have joined from Stockport County and Sheffield Wednesday, respectively, whilst George Honeyman and Niall Ennis have made the step down from the Championship. Ennis returns to the Fylde coast after a successful loan spell last season.
Ex-Wycombe Wanderers keeper Franco Ravizzoli is the latest recruit to join the club, whilst Jordan Gabriel, Sonny Carey, Oli Norburn, Jake Beesley and Matthew Pennington have all left the club to join rival League One sides.
However, manager Bruce still expects more players to join the club, and speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, said that:
“A lot of work has gone on, especially with them two, to get the five so far over the line. I couldn’t be more pleased with what we’ve done – to get Niall (Ennis) back and make him permanent, George Honeyman is going to be a big favourite, and the two centre halves do exactly what it says on the tin.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to add them. The goalkeeper has come in, too. We’ve been busy in that department, but it hasn’t finished yet.
“We’ve had a busy summer so far, but we’ve still got a long way to go, with four or five to look at. We’ve the four lads and the goalkeeper, and there’s still one or two that we’re persevering with, so we’ll see what happens in the next week or so.”
Despite five players joining, the club have only paid a transfer fee for one, Ennis from Stoke City, with Bruce claiming the club have given him a good budget as they look to return to the second tier of English football.
“All credit to the owner too, his ambitions have always been to take the club up and around the Championship. He’s given us a healthy budget to achieve it, so we’ve got to put that into practice. It’s difficult because there’s a lot of good teams, but I’m delighted with what we’ve done so far.”
With a month still left of the window, clubs up and down the country are looking to get more business finished ahead of the ever-present and busy EFL campaigns.
Blackpool host Stevenage at home in the first game of the Sky Bet League One season.
Writer’s View
The Seasiders have already been very active in the transfer window, so it’s good to see Bruce publicly talking about adding more additions, and having an adequate budget to do so.
Early business does not always equal good business, however, the first five signings that Blackpool have made do signal their ambition for the forthcoming season. Alongside this, they have recruited either in areas of weakness from last season or in areas where a key player has departed.
