Former Blackpool, Hearts, Middlesbrough & Cardiff City star transfers to new club

Former Blackpool striker Uche Ikpeazu is leaving English football behind after his latest transfer was confirmed.

Ikpeazu will head up to Scotland and join Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone after his contract with Port Vale expired. The Valiants were relegated this season and the striker has decided to reunite with former boss Craig Levein.

The 29-year-old was only a player at Vale Park for one season after joining in October 2023, but he ended up scoring just once in 26 games. He was unable to prevent Vale from being relegated as they finished 23rd in the campaign just gone.

"The supporters might know me from my time in the Scottish Premiership before," Ikpeazu said during his announcement.

"I’m a more mature player now and want to exceed my own expectations.

"It was a no-brainer for me. I have worked with the gaffer before and I’m ready to help the team. I want to show my quality and talent."

Ikpeazu was a player at Bloomfield Road for a brief spell in in 2016. He had a 12-game loan spell in the 2015/16 season after spending the first part of the campaign at Vale Park. He failed to score a goal after being brought in by Neil McDonald, and in that season the Tangeriners were relegated with Mark Cullen as their top scorer with nine goals.

The other clubs he played for during his career were Wycombe Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City before a spell abroad with Turkish side Konyaspor. Craig Levein who brought the striker to Scotland in 2018 when he was in charge of Hearts believes he can be a 'real handful' for the Perth based side.

"I’m really pleased to get Uche in – and to get him in so early," he said. "I know exactly what he is capable of.

"He is a real handful in the forward department and is a top professional too. I’m sure he will be a great asset for the team and for our other strikers at the club."