Blackpool renew AWOL striker's contract

Player goes AWOL for six months, gets handed a new deal. Tangerine logic.

Recently relegated Championship side Blackpool FC have confirmed the members of the current squad they will be keeping for their return to League One next season – and despite not kicking a ball in anger for the Seasiders since December, Ranger is on that list.

The former Newcastle United striker posted a screenshot on Instagram last week – since deleted – of an email he received from the club confirming their intention to activate the option on his contract to keep him at Bloomfield Road for another year. Ranger not so subtlety conveyed his shock at such a decision with his caption: “#REALLY!?!”

The email sent by Blackpool to Nile Ranger, posted by the striker on his Instagram account.

Speaking to the YouTube channel StraightNo Chaser in April, the 24 year old stated that the 

reason he went AWOL in the first place was because the club was “taking the mick” with his contract, claiming he was on a pay-as-you-play deal for minimum wage.

Ranger's return of two goals between August and November clearly stuck in the minds of the Tangerine chiefs who renewed the player's contract. They will be hoping such scintillating form can help Blackpool bounce back into the Championship at the first attempt.

Another player on the troubled club's retained list is Andrea Orlandi – the Spanish winger whose release clause for playing in 2,070 minutes of Blackpool's games this season may or may not have been accidentally triggered, depending on the amount of injury time he spent on the pitch.

In all, 22 players depart Bloomfield Road, including Republic of Ireland international Darren O'Dea, with just nine on the books for their League One campaign – including Orlandi and Ranger. The good news for Blackpool fans is that Jamie O'Hara and Tom Barkhuizen have been offered new deals.

Whether they sign them or not, though, is another thing.