'Pool Sign Howard

Blackpool have this lunchtime completed the signing of goalkeeper Mark Howard on a free transfer.

'Pool manager Ian Holloway had spoken about offering Howard a contract in his pre-match press conference yesterday, but stated that the player had yet to accept the club's offer, presumably because he was considering his options with offers on the table from clubs in Scotland as well.

The Seasiders moved quickly to sign the 25 year old who is now expected to be part of the Seasiders' squad for tomorrow's clash with Portsmouth following injuries to Matt Gilks and Mark Halstead.

Howard began his career at Arsenal, before moving to Wales with the likes of Swansea and Cardiff, where he worked with 'Pool's goalkeeping coach George Wood, who presumably recommended him to Ollie.

Howard has also played up in Scotland, for Falkirk, St. Mirren and Aberdeen, the latter of whom he left on a free transfer this summer.

Howard has been on trial with the Seasiders for around a fortnight now, and has accepted a contract with the Bloomfield Road outfit that will initially run until the middle of January.

He has been given the number 29 shirt.

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