Key Points
- Blackpool Football Club, under manager Steve Bruce, actively pursuing further signings to strengthen their attack before the start of the 2025–26 League One season.
- Five to eight new players already recruited this summer, including defensive and attacking reinforcements such as Fraser Horsfall, Michael Ihiekwe, George Honeyman, Niall Ennis, Franco Ravizzoli, Jordan Brown, Danny Ingram, and Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
- Club owner has provided a substantial budget with aspirations for Championship promotion.
- Blackpool are leading the race to sign Randell Williams, a free agent recently released by Leyton Orient, and have held talks amid competition from other clubs.
- The club is targeting more quality out wide after losing CJ Hamilton to injury and selling Rob Apter to Charlton Athletic.
- Steve Bruce emphasises the need for a rapid squad buildup to ensure readiness for the season opener against Stevenage on August 2, 2025.
- There is expectation and excitement among fans, with Blackpool considered among the League One promotion favourites.
- The club’s transfer activities are set to continue in the weeks leading up to the season kick-off, with four or five more targets identified.
- Blackpool previously confirmed attacking signings including the return of Niall Ennis and securing key deals for the new campaign.
Blackpool Football Club are stepping up efforts to bolster their attacking line before the highly anticipated start of the 2025–26 League One season, with fans and management alike keenly focused on new arrivals and the club’s ambitions for returning to the Championship.
Why Are Blackpool Targeting Further Attacking Additions?
As reported by Amos Wynn of the Blackpool Gazette, manager Steve Bruce has underscored Blackpool’s intention to bring in multiple new players, particularly for attacking roles, prior to the season’s opening fixture.
“It’s important to switch off to a degree, but I think I’ve spoken to David (Downes) and Dean (Hughes) probably every day,”
Bruce admitted to the Gazette, crediting the duo for their hard work in completing five signings so far. Despite the progress, Bruce stated,
“We’ve been busy in that department, but it hasn’t finished yet… we’ve still got a long way to go – with four or five to look at”.
This proactive transfer strategy aims to address last season’s shortcomings—Blackpool finished ninth and missed out on promotion. Bruce, together with the backroom team, has made no secret about the club’s need for offensive reinforcements, particularly with the departures and injuries that have left a gap in the attacking line-up.
What Deals Have Blackpool Already Completed?
The summer has seen a flurry of transfer activity at Bloomfield Road. As covered by the Blackpool Gazette’s Neil Goulding, the following signings have been confirmed:
- Fraser Horsfall (centre-back, free from Stockport County)
- Michael Ihiekwe (centre-back, free from Sheffield Wednesday)
- George Honeyman (midfield, free from Millwall)
- Niall Ennis (striker, permanent after successful loan spell)
- Franco Ravizzoli (goalkeeper, ex-Wycombe Wanderers)
- Jordan Brown (signed from Leyton Orient)
- Danny Ingram (on loan from Crystal Palace)
- Bailey Peacock-Farrell (on loan from Birmingham City)
Steve Bruce told the Gazette,
“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.”
Bruce noted that these recruits were all primary targets, brought in amid stiff competition from other clubs.
Which Players Are Blackpool Looking to Sign Next?
According to Graeme Bailey, Chief Football Correspondent of EFL Analysis, Blackpool are “leading the race” for winger Randell Williams, most recently of Leyton Orient and Bolton Wanderers. The club has reportedly held talks with Williams, who became a free agent in July. The push for Williams follows the departure of winger Rob Apter to Charlton Athletic and the injury to CJ Hamilton. EFL Analysis further notes,
“Bringing in more quality out wide is something that Blackpool need if they are to compete for a top six finish in League One”.
Alongside Williams, reports indicate Blackpool have shortlisted four or five other targets to further strengthen both their attacking and wide options before the transfer window closes.
What Is Driving Blackpool’s Aggressor Transfer Policy?
As highlighted by the Blackpool Gazette, the club is operating with a clear Championship promotion goal, spurred by owner’s financial backing. Steve Bruce commended the owner, saying,
“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”.
This ambition, combined with the club’s stated need to rapidly integrate new signings for team cohesion, explains the continued aggressive approach in the transfer market, especially up front.
How Does Blackpool’s Transfer Business Affect Their Promotion Prospects?
With the early arrivals and the expected further additions, Blackpool have become one of the bookmakers’ favourites for promotion in the coming campaign. The Blackpool Gazette notes that,
“With odds provided by Sky Bet, here are the early 2025–26 third-tier promotion favourites,”
with Blackpool placed among the top teams thanks to their recruitment drive and experienced leadership under Bruce.
AI predictions, as cited by the Gazette, also suggest Blackpool have positioned themselves for a strong run at the top of the League One table, assuming their summer business continues successfully and squad integration remains robust.
When Will Blackpool’s New Signings Be Integrated?
The integration of new talent is set to continue over the next few weeks, with the season-opener against Stevenage on August 2 serving as a target date for a near-complete squad. Bruce, in communication with his staff and as reported by the Gazette, is eager
“to put a squad of players together quickly to get them up and running to get ready for what’s going to be a big season”.
Given League One’s competitive landscape, the importance of a seamless pre-season cannot be overstated, with recruitment focus ensuring depth and flexibility.
What Are the Fans and Media Saying?
Anticipation among fans and pundits is high, with the rapid influx of new players and the explicit promotion ambitions providing hope for a return to the Championship. National and local coverage, from the Blackpool Gazette to EFL Analysis and beyond, have all highlighted the club’s bold market activity and strong leadership as factors tilting the promotion odds in their favour.
In summary, Blackpool are poised for significant further action in the transfer market to fortify their attack, with a clear promotion agenda and a committed, experienced leadership team spearheading the push. The coming weeks are expected to bring more announcements, with fans and League One rivals watching closely as the rebuild at Bloomfield Road gathers full speed