Blackpool manager Steve Bruce has stepped up his summer recruitment drive by handing a trial to former Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay.
The 27-year-old Sierra Leone international featured in the second half of a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Accrington Stanley, with Ben Woods netting the only goal of the behind-closed-doors clash in the 77th minute. Bruce rotated his squad throughout the game, fielding two entirely different XIs across both halves to ensure match fitness and opportunities for evaluation.
Kakay’s appearance follows the club’s recent struggles to shore up the right-back position, with only Andy Lyons currently considered a natural fit. Lyons, 24, is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for over a year, and while his return is being managed carefully, the Seasiders are keen to avoid over-reliance on the Irishman.
Kakay, who came through the academy at Loftus Road, made 113 senior appearances for QPR and also enjoyed loan spells with Livingston, Chesterfield, and Partick Thistle earlier in his career. After leaving the Championship side in 2023, he signed with Portuguese top-flight outfit Boavista, where he featured nine times last season.
Kakay Stats
Kakay made nine appearances for Boavista in the 2024/25 Primeira Liga campaign, featuring predominantly at right-back but also filling in at left-back and centre-half when required. His versatility was a key asset, although game time was sporadic, with only five starts coming in the final two months of the season. Kakay’s performances were largely steady rather than spectacular—he completed over 80% of his passes in two of his final four outings and registered one key pass in the 2-1 win against AVS.
Defensively, he was active in duels and interceptions, notably recording 18 defensive duels and five successful tackles in that same game. Despite a heavy defeat to Sporting CP, Kakay held his own in one-v-one situations and showed positional flexibility when Boavista rotated their back line. While he failed to contribute goals or assists, his late-season run in the side suggested he was trusted in tight fixtures as Boavista battled for mid-table security.
Writer’s View
Kakay’s arrival on trial makes complete sense for a Blackpool side lacking senior depth at right-back. While Lyons is highly thought of, a serious knee injury and 18 months on the sidelines demand caution. Bruce has seen enough in Kakay’s career to warrant a closer look—113 appearances at QPR, spells abroad, and international caps for Sierra Leone all hint at a player with resilience and maturity.
If he fits the group and proves his fitness, a deal could quickly follow. Given the low-risk nature of the move and the glaring hole in the squad, this feels like a smart piece of business waiting to happen.
