Blackpool have entered the race to sign Dunfermline Athletic defender Kieran Ngwenya, rivalling two other League One clubs for his signature.
The Seasiders’ strong end to the season ensured they will remain in League One next season, with manager Ian Evatt already planning ahead towards the summer after already admitting he would like to bring Karoy Anderson and Reuell Walters back to Bloomfield Road.
Free Transfer Deal Eyed
Blackpool have been looking further afield as part of their summer business and according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, have landed on Dunfermline Athletic centre-back Kieran Ngwenya, who has had a stellar campaign with the Pars.
The Scottish Championship side have already secured a place in the playoffs, and will face off against Arbroath in both their final regular game of the season tonight, as well as in a two-legged quarter final over the following week.
However, the Pars’ greatest joys have come in the Scottish Cup and will play in the final at Hampden Park against Celtic at the end of May, hoping to become the first team since Hibernian to win the competition outside of the Premiership.
Ngwenya has been a central part of the efforts under Neil Lennon at East End Park, playing 15 times since his return from a lengthy injury at the start of the campaign, and has been scouted multiple times by the Tangerines across that spell.
He arrived on a free transfer from Aberdeen in 2024, having gained previous SPFL experience with loan spells at Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle.
Blackpool will have their work cut out in trying to secure the Malawian international, with previous reports also suggesting that Leyton Orient and Burton Albion are also in the mix to sign the 23-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Ngwenya also has interest from inside Scotland too, with Motherwell also interested in adding the defender to their ranks ahead of a potential European campaign should they remain in fourth place in the Scottish Premiership.
Defensive Reinforcements Crucial For Evatt
In what was largely a dour campaign for Blackpool, the biggest issue for the club was a shaky defence, putting them in tough situations and unable to see out matches which could have cost them dearly in the final weeks.
The end of the campaign has seen those errors ironed out, with three clean sheets in their past five matches, but a rebuild of the backline is probably still required over the summer.
Reuell Walters is certainly a name that the Seasiders will be considering to sign on a permanent deal, with Luton Town unlikely to hand him any gametime back at Kenilworth Road next season.
Now, it seems that Blackpool are also weighing up a move for Kieran Ngwenya, who could spell a great cheap deal with his contract expiring at the end of this season at Dunfermline Athletic.
While he has had a lengthy injury setback during the first half of this season, his return saw him immediately become one of the first names on the teamsheet and an ever-reliable option for Neil Lennon.
The Pars are trying to tie him down to a new contract, which may prove to be a snag, but with increasing interest from England, it may become impossible for Athletic to keep hold of the fastest player in the Scottish Championship.
