Blackpool cast eye over ex-Reading FC man as fans pose questions | OneFootball

Blackpool have invited Andy Yiadom to train with them ahead of the 2025/26 campaign

Blackpool have already got off on the front foot this summer when it comes to new arrivals, as they look to put a somewhat disappointing season behind them.

The Tangerines were tipped by many to challenge for a play-off place at the very least in the 2025/26 League One campaign, due to a strong transfer window and the guidance of Steve Bruce in the dugout.

In the end, Bruce was sacked two months into the campaign, and while Blackpool finished 13th, it owed mainly to seven wins in their final nine games. Indeed, in mid-March, Ian Evatt's side were still staring down the barrel of relegation, but a strong ending generated momentum heading into the summer.

While that was derailed slightly by the departure of key striker Ashley Fletcher at the end of his contract, the recent arrivals of Dion Charles, who excelled under Evatt at Bolton Wanderers, and Ilmari Niskanen, one of the most sought-after free agents in the third tier this summer, have got things back on track.

Blackpool are now enjoying early pre-season training in Spain, and alongside those two new arrivals, there's another new face joining in, too.

Andy Yiadom training with Blackpool ahead of the 2026/27 campaign

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Veteran defender Andy Yiadom's eight-year stay at Reading came to a close this past summer, after he was one of five first-team players released from his contract at the Select Car Leasing Stadium at the end of the season.

It's still unknown as to where the 34-year-old will sign this summer, but in the meantime, he's out training with Blackpool, according to the Blackpool Gazette.

Yiadom made 253 appearances for the Royals over the eight years he spent with the club, and was credited for the loyalty he showed to the club throughout the tumultuous final few years of the Dai Yongge era, in which the club were deducted points in three consecutive seasons, one of which was due to late wage payments.

The right-back started just 10 times in League One last season, with the majority of his appearances coming off the bench in the final few minutes of games. Evidently, when fit, his role in his final couple of years at Reading has been to help guide some of the younger, emerging talents at the club.

Before joining Reading in 2018, Yiadom spent a couple of seasons at Barnsley, and previous EFL experiences saw him play for Barnet before his move to Oakwell.

How Blackpool fans have reacted to Andy Yiadom training with them this summer

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It's safe to say that seeing Yiadom in a Blackpool training top this summer has surprised a number of Tangerine fans.

Between Michael Ihiekwe and Fraser Horsfall, Ian Evatt's side are already covered when it comes to veteran defenders who know the EFL and can pass on their experience to some of the younger players coming through in the defence.

Plus, with Ian Evatt's wing-back system, it would be intriguing to see where Yiadom, a more traditional right-back, would fit in.

The age was definitely a point of question, with one fan simply commenting, "34?" on X. While another said, "Released by Reading and 35 later this year," to which someone replied, "No, thank you."

One fan questioned whether Yiadom's inclusion in the training squad for pre-season this week was simply for him to keep his fitness up, leading to a move elsewhere later on this summer, perhaps even dropping down a division

"Is he just using it for fitness to pick up lower league? Surely not for us?" was amongst the replies.

Evidently, it's one that's caused some confusion amongst the Blackpool fanbase. If it's just to fill a position in the squad and act as a veteran head, Yiadom would fit that bill perfectly. But Tangerine fans will be hoping he doesn't see the pitch too much if he signs on this summer.