League One side Blackpool have announced the signing of striker Ryan Hardie from Scottish Premier League side Rangers for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the option of a further year at Bloomfield Road, and becomes the club's sixth signing of the summer transfer, following the arrivals of Adi Yussef, Jamie Devitt, Ryan Edwards, Sullay Kaikai and Ben Tollitt.

Having graduated from Rangers' youth system, the striker made 17 appearances in all competitions for the Ibrox club's senior side, scoring twice.

Hardie has also previously spent time out on loan in the top two tiers of Scottish football with Raith Rovers, St Mirren and Livingston, and scored seven goals in 16 top-flight appearances for the latter last season.

Speaking to the club's official website following confirmation of the move, Hardie said: “It’s exciting times and I’m looking forward to hopefully pushing the club up the table and seeing how far we can go.

"It’s a new challenge coming down here and it’s obviously going to be different playing conditions, a different way to play and a different style of play.

"I’m looking forward to challenging myself and seeing how I deal with it.”

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson also spoke about the deal, revealing the club's long term interest in Hardie as he claimed: “The club has been monitoring Ryan’s progress for some time and having watched plenty of footage and spoken to fellow coaches and players about him, he’s going to be a good addition who strengthens our attacking options.

"We’re getting him at the right age and have beaten some competition for his signature.”

The Verdict

This looks to be a good signing for Blackpool.

Hardie has plenty of pedigree from his time at Rangers and as Grayson has mentioned, at 22-years-old it looks as though the Seasiders are bringing in the striker just as he approaches the peak of his career.

The striker's record on loan at Livingston last season certainly suggests that he can do some damage for Blackpool in League One level in the coming campaign and with the other signings that have already been brought to the club, there will certainly be confidence around Bloomfield Road that they can push on from their promising performances last year.

There may have been some concerns about that activity stalling following the departure of Terry McPhillips as manager, but with the swift appointment of Simon Grayson and with new recruits continuing to arrive at the club, it certainly seems as though Blackpool are heading for much more stable times.