Blackpool have done their transfer business early after confirming the arrival of Watford striker Ashley Fletcher.
The former Man United forward has joined on a free transfer after his contract with the Hornets came to an end. He spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday but failed to find the back of the net in 28 games.
Fletcher has played in League One before, scoring five times in 21 games for Barnsley in 2016. His arrival at Bloomfield Road is needed as there was a need to recruit in the strikers department after Shayne Lavery left. Last season's top scorer Jordan Rhodes has also re-signed but in his absence, the Seasiders struggled to score.
More business is expected to be done with discussions underway with George Byers about a possible return. He is wanted by Championship and League One teams, but director David Downes has already signed him twice, so he knows what is needed to sign him.
The loan market is something to consider, especially given the success of Karamoko Dembele last season. Dembele had barely played first-team football when he arrived from Brest, but as he left the club in May, Dembele has now got interest from Premier League teams for how he performed at Blackpool.
Neil Critchley has a good record of working with young players and developing them. Before coming a head coach, he was in charge of Liverpool's academy teams, and there are always some young players out there ready to be taken a chance on.
Here, the Gazette looks at some players that were on loan at League Two clubs last season from the Premier League and the Championship. Are these players ready to make the step up? Flick through our pages and tell us if any of these youngsters are worth signing.
Fletcher has played in League One before, scoring five times in 21 games for Barnsley in 2016. His arrival at Bloomfield Road is needed as there was a need to recruit in the strikers department after Shayne Lavery left. Last season's top scorer Jordan Rhodes has also re-signed but in his absence, the Seasiders struggled to score.
![Spent the first part of the 2023/24 season on loan at Leyton Orient, re-joining them after he helped them win the League Two title last season. His loan spell ended and he headed to Crewe, playing there 14 times, as they reached the play-off final.](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jpim-static/2024/06/20/12/38/GettyImages-2106923028.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
13. Ed Turns - Brighton & Hove Albion (Crewe Alexandra)
Spent the first part of the 2023/24 season on loan at Leyton Orient, re-joining them after he helped them win the League Two title last season. His loan spell ended and he headed to Crewe, playing there 14 times, as they reached the play-off final. | Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images
![Highly-rated young forward. Eighteen years-old and got three goals and three assists in 17 games for MK Dons.](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jpim-static/2024/06/20/12/51/GettyImages-2152516142.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
14. Emre Tezgel - Stoke City (MK Dons)
Highly-rated young forward. Eighteen years-old and got three goals and three assists in 17 games for MK Dons. | Getty ImagesPhoto: arriet Lander/Getty Images)
![11 goals and two assists in 25 games for Colchester United before he was recalled and sent to Lincoln City. He got 10 goals and three assists in 19 games for the Imps and would represent a good bit of business.
Luton Town's relegation from the Premier League might mean that the Hatters give him a chance rather than sending him out on loan again.](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jpim-static/2024/06/20/12/37/GettyImages-1493806428.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
15. Joe Taylor - Luton Town (Colchester United)
11 goals and two assists in 25 games for Colchester United before he was recalled and sent to Lincoln City. He got 10 goals and three assists in 19 games for the Imps and would represent a good bit of business. Luton Town's relegation from the Premier League might mean that the Hatters give him a chance rather than sending him out on loan again. | Getty Images
![Left-back at Liverpool that played 16 times for Tranmere Rovers last season.](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jpim-static/2024/06/20/12/27/GettyImages-1616377558.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
16. James Norris - Liverpool (Tranmere Rovers)
Left-back at Liverpool that played 16 times for Tranmere Rovers last season. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
![A centre-back that played 34 times for third-placed Mansfield Town last season, scoring twice.](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jpim-static/2024/06/20/12/02/GettyImages-1247473550.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
17. Lewis Brunt - Leicester City (Mansfield Town)
A centre-back that played 34 times for third-placed Mansfield Town last season, scoring twice. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
![A 20-year-old defensive midfielder from Liverpool that played 30 times for Bradford City last season. He's also capable of playing at right-back.](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jpim-static/2024/06/20/12/54/GettyImages-1774888296.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
18. Luca Stephenson - Liverpool (Barrow)
A 20-year-old defensive midfielder from Liverpool that played 30 times for Bradford City last season. He's also capable of playing at right-back. | Getty Images