Grant Ward says 'no' to Rotherham United and joins Blackpool

ROTHERHAM United have lost out in their bid to bring old boy Grant Ward back to AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Grant WardGrant Ward
Grant Ward

The Millers had been in talks with the free-agent winger and last week manager Paul Warne said there was "a good chance" the player would return to South Yorkshire.

However, Ward has chosen to join Rotherham's League One rivals, Blackpool, who this afternoon announced the 25-year-old had signed an initial 18-month contract.

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Ward impressed at New York during a season-long Championship loan from Spurs in 2015/16 before spending three years at Ipswich Town who released him in May.

He is fit again but hasn't played since damaging cruciate knee ligaments on Boxing Day last year.

Rotherham made him a good offer that would have put him among the club's highest earners.

Blackpool chief executive Ben Mansford said: "We are delighted to have signed Grant. There was a lot of competition for his signature. Grant is a young man with his best years ahead of him."

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Ward told Blackpool's website: "I've spoken to the manager and the owner and they’ve welcomed me with open arms.

"I’m coming to a team that wants to progress and the owner wants the area to do well. I'm excited to be part of it."

The Seasiders - five places below the Millers who are fifth in the table - are the visitors to New York on New Year's Day.

Warne, who wants to sign an attacker, a wide man and possibly a defender in the January transfer window told the Advertiser last week: "I really like Grant as player and I really like him as a kid.

"He's athletic and if we were fortunate enough to be promoted he could definitely play in the league above. He's definitely one I am looking to try to bring in."