Blackpool have completed the signing of midfielder Josh Onomah on a free transfer as Steve Bruce reunites with a player who he has worked with twice previously - including at Aston Villa.

Onomah, 27, has joined the Seasiders on a short-term deal initially until January, having spent time at Bloomfield Road in recent weeks on trial. Bruce has decided that Onomah has earned a contract and the pair will work together for a third time, after stints at Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.

Onomah was a trainee at Tottenham Hotspur and it was during his days in North London that he moved to Villa on loan to work under Bruce, for the 2017-18 season. Onomah played 37 games for Villa and scored four goals, including a winner against Sunderland at Villa Park. Onomah then crossed paths with Bruce the season following when the duo were at Sheffield Wednesday.

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“It’s been a long journey after training with the lads over recent weeks, but it’s been great to be in and around football again," Onomah said. “This is a great bunch of lads and I’ve been involved in promotion-winning sides before, so I’m hoping to bring that experience here. I’ve worked with the gaffer before and have a good relationship with him, so I’m happy to be here and to start playing.”

Onomah very nearly signed for Bruce for a third time in the summer of 2022 when the boss was in charge of West Brom. Despite arriving at the training ground and undergoing a medical before the transfer deadline, there were issues around the submission of documents to the EFL and the move didn't materialise.

"I’m really surprised he’s been without a club for so long," Bruce said. "He played for me and did well, so much so I nearly took him on Deadline Day when I was at West Brom. He’s missed the best part of 12 months, it’s like someone having a serious injury. If he can get himself right physically then we’ve got someone who’s played at the top level."

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