Gnanduillet is glad to be back with Blackpool

The striker re-signed for Blackpool last week just two months after agreeing to join South African side Baroka FC.

The 26-year-old was offered renewed terms by the Seasiders at the end of last season but he decided to join the South African Premier Division side instead, putting pen to paper on a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

However, Baroka decided to part ways with the former Chesterfield and Leyton Orient forward at the start of July due to a registration mix up.

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 Frenchman holding discussions with manager Gary Bowyer and requesting a return to Bloomfield Road, which was finalised last week.

Gnanduillet then went on to make his first appearance of pre-season for Blackpool in their 1-0 win at Port Vale on Saturday.

Speaking after the game, Gnanduillet said: “It has been a crazy holiday for me but now I’m back, and I’m glad to be back here.

“I can’t wait to go forward this year and I’m very focused to play for Blackpool and give everything, like I always did.

“I had an opportunity and I spoke with the gaffer when I left and he told me to let him know if anything happened, and that’s what I did.

“Obviously I knew some lads have gone from the team. But I’m back and I’m glad.”

The time he spent out in South Africa means he isn’t too far off fitness-wise for the new season, though he acknowledges there’s still work to do.

“I was fit, but I need more,” he added.

“When I came back we worked with Phil (Greenwood, fitness coach) and the other lads and it’s not finished because we still have two weeks of pre-season.”

When the new season does arrive, Gnanduillet will be aiming to build on the way he ended last season’s campaign, where he scored twice in his last four games.

“I wasn’t the only player to finish the season strong,” he said.

“It’s about carrying on the same way and working on my strengths and my weaknesses, too, to be a better player.

“Saturday’s game was hard work and a hard game, but we managed to pick up the win which was the important thing.”