Blackpool have signalled their intent to compete at the top of League One this season after unveiling their first two signings of the window this week.
Defenders Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe will both join the Seasiders on free transfers once their current deals have expired on July 1st, boosting Steve Bruce’s defensive options.
Horsfall, 28, has penned a 4-year-deal at Bloomfield Road, having rejected a deal to extend his stay at former club Stockport County. The 6ft3 centre back departs Edgley Park after making 122 appearances for the club, having also been an integral part of County’s 2023/24 League Two title winning campaign.
During Stockport’s unsuccessful play-off campaign following their first season in the third tier since 2010, Horsfall captained the club and caught the eye of suitors with his strong appearances, including a goal in the first leg. In order to secure the services of Horsfall, the Seasiders beat off strong competition from the centre-back’s hometown team, Huddersfield Town, as well as reported Championship interest. Despite coming through the Terrier’s academy, Horsfall never made an appearance for the club.
Ihiekwe joined Horsfall as the Tangerine’s second signing of the window following his release from Sheffield Wednesday. The 32-year-old was announced to have signed a 3-year-deal with the club, rejecting reported interest from elsewhere to link up with Bruce. Liverpool born Ihiekwe possesses a strong League One CV, boasting four promotions to the Championship, including three with former club Rotherham. During his most recent spell in the Championship with the Owls, Ihiekwe featured 22 times as Wednesday confirmed their second-tier status for another year with a modest 12th place finish.
The double swoop no doubt presents healthy competition for current Seasider’s centre-back Olly Casey, who established himself as a mainstay in Pool’s backline during Bruce’s first season at the club. The 25-year-old is also on the lookout for a new defensive partner following the return of loanee Elkan Baggott to parent club Ipswich Town. The pair formed a healthy partnership at the back last season as the Seasiders missed out on a play-off position.
In contrast, the arrivals potentially spell the end of Matthew Pennington’s Blackpool career. Arriving under former manager Neil Critchley in 2023, the former Everton youth product found game time reduced under Bruce following a spell on the sidelines in November. Whilst an offer of a new deal for the 30-year-old has been tabled, it is understood that the defender will assess his options in hopes of more time on the pitch elsewhere. The arrivals of Horsfall and Ihiekwe will potentially help make Pennington’s decision clearer.
A setback to the Seasider’s ambition for the season has come in the form of another departure. Highly rated midfielder Sonny Carey, 24, rejected the club’s offer of a new contract, instead opting for a switch to newly promoted side Charlton Athletic. The talented attacker signed a three-year-deal at the Valley on Friday despite rumours he was in advanced talks elsewhere, bringing to an end a four-year-spell with the Tangerines.
Carey, who joined Blackpool from non-league Kings Lynn in 2021, enjoyed his best season at the seaside in 2024/25, becoming an influential figure in the Seasider’s midfield, scoring eleven in all competitions. The move means Carey will once again have the opportunity to test himself in the Championship as the Addicks look to cement themselves back in the second tier.
Despite the Blackpool Gazette reporting that a handsome offer had been presented to the former Norwich prospect, Carey’s desire to play at a higher-level means Steve Bruce will now have to look to the transfer market in order to fill the creative gap he leaves behind should Blackpool wish to return to the second tier themselves. With signings such as Horsfall and Ihiekwe already being unveiled, it seems apparent that owner Simon Sadler is open to funding Bruce’s plans.
