Armand Gnanduillet re-signs for Blackpool just two months after leaving

The French striker was offered renewed terms by the Seasiders at the end of last season but the 26-year-old opted to sign for South African side Baroka FC instead.

However, despite signing a two-year contract with Baroka, with the option of a further 12 months, the club decided to part ways with the striker at the start of July.

It is understood the club, who are limited to the amount of foreign players they are allowed to sign, failed to register Gnanduillet for the forthcoming season as they have already filled their quota.

That led to the striker holding discussions with manager Gary Bowyer and requesting a return to Bloomfield Road. He has today agreed an initial one-year deal, plus an option for a further year.

“Armand contacted me and said that there had been a situation in South Africa where it hadn’t all gone according to plan and asked would we be interested,” Bowyer explained.

“Fortunately, we were, and as a result of that we’ve been able to bring him back. We offered him a contract in the first place and we didn’t want to miss him.

“We were disappointed when he left because he was making progress in terms of how we see him and how we want him to play.

"Hopefully he can build on that now and continue to show the form and improvements we know he’s capable of.”

The Frenchman, who first signed for Blackpool in August 2016, scored five goals in 31 appearances last season.

He played for Chesterfield and Leyton Orient before arriving on the Fylde coast. He has also played for Le Havre and AS Poissy in France.

POOL'S SUMMER BUSINESS

IN: Marc Bola, Joe Bunney, Joe Dodoo (loan), Ben Heneghan (loan), Armand Gnanduillet, Mark Howard, Ryan McLaughlin, Michael Nottingham, Paudie O'Connor (loan), John O'Sullivan, Harry Pritchard, Chris Taylor, Jordan Thompson

OUT: Will Aimson, Raul Correia, Sessi D’Almeida, Colin Daniel, Jamille Matt, Jim McAlister. Danny Philliskirk, Scott Quigley (loan), Caleb Richards, Clark Robertson, Andy Taylor, Kyle Vassell, Ben Williams, Denzel Williams