Ex-Blackpool striker and Derby County, Middlesbrough and Stoke City target Armand Gnanduillet seals surprise move

The 28-year-old, who has previously been linked with Championship sides Derby County, Middlesbrough and Stoke City, has agreed a two-year deal with Altay SK according to reports in the Turkish media.

Altay, a club based outside the city of Izmir, play their football in the TFF First League, the division below Turkey’s top tier.

Gnanduillet turned down a new contract with Blackpool last season, instead opting to leave at the start of the summer following the expiration of his contract.

It followed his most successful season to date in his career, the striker scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.

“To the fans, staff, my teammates, people who trusted in me and people who didn’t trust in me, I would like to say a massive thank you to y’all (sic),” he posted on his Instagram page back in June.

“Yes, during the four years playing for Blackpool it’s been a blessing, an honour and a pleasure for me and I can not thank God enough for the chance - I had to express myself under this shirt!

“Veni, vidi, vici, it’s time for me to say goodbye...all the best for the future and once again - thanks y’all!”

Gnanduillet first joined the Seasiders in the summer of 2016 after spending time with Chesterfield, Tranmere Rovers, Oxford United, Stevenage and Leyton Orient.

He helped the club seal an instant return to League One in his first season, scoring a vital header during the play-off semi-final second leg against Luton Town.

The bustling forward briefly left the Fylde Coast in 2018 to sign for South African outfit Baroka FC, only to return to Bloomfield Road two months later.

Baroka failed to register the Frenchman having already exceeded their foreign player quota.

Gnanduillet enjoyed his most prolific season to date during the 2017/18 campaign, scoring 14 times.

He went one better last term, topping Blackpool’s scoring charts with 15 league goals which saw him sit joint second in the list of League One’s top marksmen.

His impressive form attracted the attention of Charlton Athletic during the January transfer window after the Addicks had come close to signing him the previous summer.

Gnanduillet left the club having netted 43 times in 145 games for the Seasiders.