Blackpool trial ends for ex-QPR man with new club found following arrival of Crystal Palace youngster

🎯 Blackpool’s Transfer Window: Reinforcing Right‑Back Depth

Blackpool, under the stewardship of manager Steve Bruce, has been shaping their squad ahead of the 2025–26 League One season. One clear focus: the right-back position, where injuries and departures have left a gap to fill.

Context in Brief:

• Andy Lyons, the club’s natural right-back, has just returned from a lengthy ACL injury layoff.
• Blackpool trialed Osman Kakay, a free agent formerly at QPR and Boavista.
• Shortly after, they secured a season-long loan from Crystal Palace for young right-back Danny Imray.

Two overlapping developments—the conclusion of Kakay’s trial and Imray’s arrival—have significant tactical and squad planning implications.

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1. 🧾 Osman Kakay’s Trial with Blackpool

Background:

• Osman Kakay, a 27-year-old Sierra Leone international, left QPR last summer, having amassed 113 senior appearances Facebook+10The72 – Football League News+10Blackpool Gazette+10Blackpool Gazette+2Blackpool Gazette+2Blackpool Gazette+2Blackpool Gazette+1Blackpool Gazette+1.
• After a short stint with Boavista in Portugal, Kakay became a free agent.

Trial Details:

• Blackpool invited Kakay for a trial at their Squires Gate training base.
• He featured in behind-closed-doors friendlies against Accrington Stanley and AFC Fylde, typically coming off the bench The72 – Football League NewsBlackpool Gazette+3Blackpool Gazette+3The72 – Football League News+3.
• Manager Steve Bruce appreciated Kakay’s performance, noting: “He did okay; he did nothing wrong.” Blackpool Gazette+1Blackpool Gazette+1.

Outcome:

• Despite the positive assessment, Kakay’s trial concluded without a permanent offer.
• He promptly signed a two-year deal with Slovakian side FC Košice, ending his trial tenure The72 – Football League News+1Blackpool Gazette+1Blackpool Gazette.

Implication: Blackpool decided against signing Kakay, likely due to alt options and fit judgment, noting they’d “keep him … for next week” before dismissing further plans .

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2. 💥 Arrival: Crystal Palace’s Danny Imray Joins on Loan

Player Background:

• Danny Imray, born July 27, 2003, started at Chelmsford City’s youth setup, moving to Crystal Palace in February 2021 Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5Blackpool Gazette+5.
• He gained senior experience on loan at Chelmsford City and Bromley (2024–25), earning 39 appearances, 1 goal, and 5 assists Blackpool Gazette+3Wikipedia+3Blackpool Gazette+3.

Loan & Integration:

• On 15 July 2025, Blackpool announced Imray’s season-long loan from Palace Blackpool Gazette+3Wikipedia+3Blackpool Gazette+3.
• His move was warmly welcomed by manager Bruce and the club.
• Speaking shortly after joining, Imray said: “It’s a privilege to be here and I can’t wait to get started… To play under the gaffer here was also a big draw…” blackpoolfcnews.com+5The72 – Football League News+5newsnow.co.uk+5Blackpool Gazette+1Wikipedia+1.

Fit & Prospects:

• Imray will compete with Lyons for the right-back spot, bringing energy, youth, and technical skill.
• As a flexible defender, he can operate at both full-back and wing-back, aligning with Bruce’s setup.

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3. ⚖️ Comparing the Options: Youth vs Experience

Player	Age	Background	Pros	Cons
Osman Kakay	27	QPR, Boavista	Experience, knows English football, physical style	Not offered contract; perhaps overpriced or misfit
Danny Imray	21	Palace loanee	Youthful, hungry, technically adept, eligible loan	Inexperience at League One level in this position
Andy Lyons	24	Blackpool own	Committee return from injury, familiar environment	Coming off serious ACL layoff; fitness cautious

Bruce faced a clear choice—opting for long-term squad planning via Imray’s loan rather than the short-term patch offered by Kakay.

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4. 🧠 Strategic Analysis: Why Imray Over Kakay?

Loan Value:

• Imray’s loan deal poses no long-term financial obligation and low risk.
• Offers Palace the chance to assess the player in a competitive first-team environment, benefiting all parties.

Squad Depth & Competition:

• Loaning a younger player fuels internal competition—Lyons, returning from injury, must reclaim his spot.
• It maintains squad freshness and opens options for rotational tactics.

Tactical Alignment:

• Imray’s style suits Bruce’s pressing, overlapping full-back system.
• Graham compatibility drew attention; Imray specifically cited the experience and ambition of Blackpool under Bruce newsnow.co.uk+9Blackpool Gazette+9Blackpool Gazette+9.

In contrast, Kakay’s signing would have been a short-term fix—possibly clogging budget and stifling growth opportunity.

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5. 🏞️ Osman Kakay to FC Košice: A New Chapter

Move Context:

• Shortly after leaving Blackpool’s trial, Kakay joined FC Košice in Slovakia on a two-year contract The72 – Football League News+1Blackpool Gazette+1.
• Košice’s sports director, Marek Sapara, praised him: “He is exactly the type of footballer that we are missing … a winning type … 100% professional.” The72 – Football League News.

Career Perspective:

• Kakay opted for first-team football abroad, aligning with ambitions to re-establish himself post-injury or limited play.
• Airing as a solid no-nonsense full-back, he fits Košice’s immediate needs.

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6. 🔍 Tactical Implications for Blackpool

Defensive Setup:

• Blackpool’s defensive balance now includes Lyons (recovering), Imray (loan), and others for cover.
• Ross Fitzwater, Michael Ihiekwe, Fraser Horsfall, and Jordan Brown have recently been signed—part of a broader defensive reinforcement drive .

Competition & Rotation:

• Right-back becomes a trio contest: Lyons vs Imray, training weekly with rotational risk.
• Advantageous if injuries arise; chances for tactical shifts between youthful energy and experience.

Long-Term vs Short-Term:

• Imray’s loan opens a potential long-term partnership if he impresses.
• It reflects broader club strategy: develop younger talent on loan rather than splurge on short-term veterans.

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7. 🗞️ Media Coverage & Next Steps

Report Summaries:

• Blackpool Gazette (Amos Wynn): Confirms Kakay’s trial and zero contract extension; Imray’s arrival and first reflection .
• The72.co.uk: Confirms Kakay’s signing at FC Košice .
• Lytham St Annes Express: Earlier noted Kakay’s trial and Bruce’s plans to retain him temporarily .

What to Watch:

1. Pre-season friendlies: Will Imray start? How does Lyons perform in tandem?
2. Lyons’ fitness: Long-term comeback from injury; rotating with Imray is smart risk management.
3. Imray’s adaptation: Will he match up physically and tactically in League One?
4. Defensive solidity: With new signings like Ihiekwe and Horsfall, how cohesive is the back line?

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8. 𝘉𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘦

• Osman Kakay’s trial ended without a Blackpool contract; he’s moved to FC Košice .
• Danny Imray’s arrival, on loan from Crystal Palace, offers an exciting, developmental alternative at right-back .
• Blackpool’s strategy: blend youth with returning experience, manage Lyons’ recovery, and optimize squad flexibility under Steve Bruce.

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TL;DR:

• Trialist Kakay leaves unpicked; signs in Slovakia.
• Young loanee Imray brings pace, youth, and promise to Blackpool