Blackpool 'couldn't block Apter's Charlton move'

Blackpool manager Steve Bruce has said the club could not stand in the way of Rob Apter's "life-changing" move to Charlton Athletic.

The Scotland Under-21s winger, who came through the scholarship programme at Bloomfield Road, signed for the newly promoted Championship side recently, despite being a fans' favourite.

The 22-year-old left after five seasons with the Tangerines, and Bruce said the undisclosed fee they received had helped to revamp the squad, with eight new signings coming in.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Rob knocked my door down for the best part of three weeks, which is understandable.

"To play at a higher level is one thing, but when it gets into life-changing situations in financial terms, we have to respect the boy and wish him the best of luck. It's great to see a young kid come through and none of us wanted to lose him.

"He's a bit of a dying breed, a little dribbler who goes past people, and he can only get better because of his age. His reaction is normal - if you get asked to quadruple your wages you are going to knock on my door."

Rob Apter left Blackpool to join newly promoted Championship side Charlton Athletic

The former Manchester United centre-back said he was especially pleased with the permanent signing of forward Niall Ennis from Stoke City and the recruitment of defenders Fraser Horsfall, who captained Stockport County to promotion last year, and experienced Sheffield Wednesday stopper Michael Ihiekwe on free transfers.

"We've had our targets but the main thing was the Bosman targets and we've used that very well," said Bruce.

"Bringing Niall [Ennis] back was always going to be a priority and we've done that. Now we need [players in] wide areas and up front and we can say we've put a very competitive squad together.

"To get the captain of Stockport is a great signing, and Michael with his experience of playing in the Championship, it's very good."

Bruce has also bolstered his goalkeeping department with the addition of former Wycombe Wanderers man Franco Ravizzoli and the loan of Birmingham City's Northern Ireland international Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the season.

He said the club had tried to bring back Everton's Harry Tyrer, who was the main goalkeeper last season, but after failing to agree a deal with the Premier League club he confirmed the two new men will fight it out for a starting place.

"It's a straight fight between the two of them. They're both very, very good goalkeepers and that's the way I try to manage. We're a lot stronger in that department than we were last year.

"We had to be respectful to Everton and the more the summer was eating away and we were not getting a decision from them, then we had to make the call and once I heard Bailey was available there was no decision to be made. To get him on loan we couldn't wait any longer.

"For one reason or another it hasn't quite happened for him at Birmingham but maybe a change of manager and different style - he's a very, very good goalkeeper."