Blackpool boss shares transfer need as ex-Bolton Wanderers man prepares to make Reading move
Kamarl Grant has joined Blackpool on loan from Millwall.
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt states it was important for the club to recruit someone ready to go in their defence this month.
The Seasiders have added Millwall centre back Kamarl Grant to their ranks on loan for the remainder of the season.
Despite not featuring regularly for the Lions, the 22-year-old has appeared in cup games, with the most recent being against Burnley last weekend.
Elsewhere, Evatt’s former Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Santos is also on the move, having struggled through injury during his time with Swansea City following a move to South Wales in the summer.
Many would’ve thought the 30-year-old would’ve been a natural fit for Blackpool given his connections to the head coach, but both parties have moved in different directions, with the Cape Verde international reportedly close to joining Reading.
“I know Rico, I worked with him for a long time - I have a lot of love and respect for him, he was my captain at Bolton,” Evatt said.
“For him, he needs to get out playing games. I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“For us, the position we’re in right now, we needed someone ready to go, and to hit the ground running, and someone who is fit and has been playing games regularly.
“It was important that whoever came in was fully match fit.”
Evatt shares views on new signing
Evatt is excited to add Grant to his squad ahead of Blackpool’s trip to Oakwell to take on Barnsley in League One this weekend, with the defender set to be handed his first appearance.
“He adds some elite athleticism,” he stated.
“Yes, he can play with the ball - which is important for what we want to do, but if we want to press high in particular, then that means you leave big spaces behind, and he can manage those spaces really well.
“He’s aggressive in both boxes, and is really good at attacking set plays. It’s our job to add different skillsets to our squad, which if it’s fit and healthy, is a good one, but we’ve been pulverised by injuries, so it was important that we strengthened.
“We’re trying to add different options and we feel he does that. We’re trying to make the best decisions we can, whether they are loans or permanent signings. This loan became available and we felt it was the right thing for us.”
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