[themaclad]

Blackpool have released veteran striker Jordan Rhodes and Jake Daniels, the only openly gay professional footballer in English football.

Rhodes, 35, scored 15 goals in 50 league appearances for the League One side and ended the season on loan with third tier rivals Mansfield Town.

Fellow striker Daniels, 20, came out in May 2022 shortly after making his only senior appearance for the club.

The Seasiders are in discussions with defender Matthew Pennington, 30, and midfielder Sonny Carey, 27, about extending their contracts.

Daniels posted on Instagram: "To all the fans who believed in me, supported me through a crazy few years, I want to thank you.

"Thanks to all the staff for supporting me through 13 years of getting me to the point I am at today, and thank you for all my teammates who have been on the journey with me.

"I have people to prove wrong. My career is only just starting."

Defender Jordan Gabriel, 26, and midfielder Oliver Norburn, 32, and Josh Onomah, 28, are also leaving the Lancashire side.

Steve Bruce's side finished ninth in League One, 11 points off the play-off places.

[themaclad]

Blackpool have boosted their defensive options for next season with a double swoop for out of contract Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe.

Steve Bruce's League One outfit have snapped up 28-year-old Horsfall on a four-year deal following the end of a spell at third tier rivals Stockport County.

And they have also added 32-year-old Ihiekwe following his release by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

"We're delighted to get someone of Fraser's calibre signed early as he demonstrates the leadership qualities we're looking for to compete at the top end of this division," Bruce told the club website, external.

"And [with Michael] his CV speaks for itself with four promotions from this division already. We are hopeful his experience will help us reach our goals this season."

Horsfall narrowly missed out on promotion with Stockport, who lost on penalties in the play-off semi-finals to Leyton Orient.

But the former County captain has reset his sights on promotion with Blackpool next season as he prepares to join Steve Bruce's squad.

"With the size of this club they shouldn't be in this league, so the main goal is promotion," said Horsfall.

Ihiekwe joins the Seasiders on a three-year deal from 1 July with four promotions from League One under his belt, three with Rotherham and most recently with the Owls back in 2023.

[themaclad]

Blackpool have signed former Millwall midfielder George Honeyman and forward Niall Ennis from Stoke, with both agreeing two-year deals.

Honeyman previously played for Sunderland and Hull City, is out of contract with the Lions later this month.

The 30-year-old joined Millwall from Hull in 2022 and made a total of 117 appearances for the club in all competitions.

"The gaffer has played a huge part. I was lucky to train under him a little bit when I was a young lad making my way through at Sunderland and he's someone I've always admired," he said of Blackpool boss Steve Bruce., external

"I can't wait to work with him here at this great club and get playing in front of the Tangerine Army."

Niall Ennis scored seven goals in a 19 game loan spell at Blackpool last season

Ennis has signed for an undisclosed fee and his contract has the option of a third year.

The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season with Steve Bruce's team and scored seven goals in the 19 games of his loan spell.

"We are delighted to welcome Niall back to Blackpool on a permanent basis," Bruce told the club's website, external.

"He hit the ground running for us last season, making a real impact at the top end of the pitch with some memorable goals."

[themaclad]

Blackpool have signed Argentine goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli following his release from Wycombe Wanderers at the end of last season.

The 27-year-old made 42 league appearances for the Chairboys across two seasons following his move from MK Dons in 2023.

He represented both Independiente and River Plate's youth teams before moving to England and then sixth-tier club Eastbourne Borough in 2020.

"Franco has had an impressive couple of seasons at this level, and we're looking forward to watching him progress further in his career here at Blackpool," Tangerines boss Steve Bruce told the club website.