Out of favour Hatters striker returns to Blackpool on season-long loan

Luton striker Jerry Yates has returned to former side Blackpool on a season-long loan deal.

The 29-year-old had spent three years with the Tangerines after joining from Rotherham United in 2020, playing a key role in the club’s promotion to the Championship, scoring 23 goals in his debut campaign at Bloomfield Road. He then netted 22 times during two years in the second tier, before leaving in 2023 with 46 goals in 139 outings, heading to Swansea City for a fee rumoured to be £2.5m, and then moving to Derby County two years later.

Yates was heralded as a marquee signing for the Hatters when he joined ahead of last season, but struggled to replicate the kind of form expected of him, scoring seven goals in 29 matches. Out of favour under boss Jack Wilshere, he was sent on loan to Sheffield Wednesday in January, notching four times in 18 appearances.

Returning to Luton, Yates wasn’t given a squad number ahead of the current campaign, Wilshere made it clear he could look for another side, as the forward, who played for the youth team recently in a pre-season friendly, has now completed his switch to his former team. On joining the Seasiders, said: “It’s a full circle moment. When I heard of the interest, I was so excited to come back. Blackpool has always held a special place in my heart so I can’t wait to play in tangerine again.

"The moment I left, I always said to myself that at one stage I want to come back and at least do another stint so to have the opportunity to come back and do that is massive. "It (hearing of Blackpool’s interest) puts a big smile on your face. Sometimes you can have days when you’re a bit low on confidence, especially in my situation with this pre-season and then to hear that interest from Blackpool and they still want you, it’s a big confidence boost. Once I heard it, I wanted to get it done straight away.

"The chairman (Simon Sadler) gave me a ring and I’ve always had a close relationship with him, I appreciate that and thank him for giving me the opportunity to come back. In the past we had a lot of good memories, so I just want to come back and help the team as much as I can. I’m just excited to get going, I feel like I’ve matured a lot especially from my last time at Blackpool, so excited to show the fans what I can do.

Head coach Ian Evatt continued: “We are delighted to welcome Jerry back to the club. Everyone knows how loved he is here and the impact he had the last time he played in tangerine but I’m excited to see what he can produce this time around and how he can help us reach our goals this season. I can’t wait to work with him.”

A club statement from the Hatters said: “Striker Jerry Yates has today rejoined his former club Blackpool on a season-long loan. The 29-year-old signed for the Hatters from Swansea on the opening night of the 2025/26 season and scored seven times in 29 appearances, before spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. He now returns to Bloomfield Road for the remainder of the current season with the best wishes of all at Kenilworth Road.”