Blackpool have signed defender Tom Aldred from Accrington Stanley. 

Blackpool have signed the Accrington Stanley defender
Blackpool have signed the Accrington Stanley defender

The 24-year-old, who initially joined the club on loan in time to be included in the 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, has now signed an 18-month deal with the Championship club.

The Seasiders also have an option of extending the deal for a further season.

“It's a good move for me, obviously a big step up in level from where I've come from and I'm looking to prove myself" Aldred told the club's official website.

“As a centre half you need stability, you need games and you need lots of them to obviously learn your trade.
“It's always the case that when you go to a new club you've got to prove yourself, and obviously coming to a higher level that's something that I'll look to do.”

Born in Bolton, Aldred started his career at Carlisle United where he made five appearances in two years at the club and also had a loan spell at non-league Workington.

He left to join Watford in July 2010 with the Cumbrians receiving compensation. The defender never made a first-team appearance at Vicarage Road and was loan out to Stockport County and Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Aldred was released by the Hornets in August 2011 and was immediately signed by Colchester United but he failed to break into the first-team at the Colchester Community Stadium and spent time on loan at Torquay United and Barrow.

He was released by the U's in January 2013 and joined Accrington on a deal until the end of the season before putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal in June.

The defender made 83 appearances for Accrington, scoring four goals.

Blackpool are currently bottom of the Championship table with just four wins from 28 matches and are nine points away from safety.