Blackpool Football Club have announced about the only transfer that seemed inevitable when they qualified for the Premier League back in May – DJ Campbell has joined the club on a permanent basis.
Campbell spent a good portion of last season on loan at the Tangerines and played an integral part in the Championship campaign with a play-off hat-trick against Forest (sorry Mark) perhaps the most notable of his 11 goals in 18 games.
Blackpool have been rumoured to sign just about any striker under the sun this summer, ranging from Brett Pitman to Marcus Tudgay (both didn’t move) and now look like they have made Campbell their final striking signing alongside Marlon Harewood, Luke Varney and this afternoon’s capture of the winger Matt Phillips from Wycombe Wanderers.
Competition for places looks like a possibility now at Broomfield Road after much talk from Ian Holloway of Blackpool being severely ill-equipped heading into the Premier League season – the likes of Grandin, Euell, Ormerod and Taylor-Fletcher, as well as the above names have all been seen to play in a front three. Given his history with the club and past performances Campbell would look likely to be a regular starter when the season starts up again, but there will be players biting at his heels should he under-perform.
A £4.5m pricing on Fantasy Premier League looms large for the forward and if you’re looking for a budget striker he seems like he could be one of your more sensible options. Fixtures though (new, che, BLA, liv, MCY) aren’t exactly acquisition friendly, especially with a club still considered relegation fodder despite an encouraging start to their campaign.