Lenihan makes one month loan switch to Blackpool

Blackpool FC have added to their defensive ranks this morning with the signing of Hull City defender Brian Lenihan on a one month loan deal.

The 20 year old goes straight into the Seasider’s match squad for tomorrow’s game against Leeds United and is poised to make his debut for Lee Clark’s side.

"We're short on defenders anyway in the football club but certainly with Tony (McMahon) being suspended we had to move very, very quickly. Thankfully my relationship with Steve meant that we could get the deal done quite quickly," Clark told BlackpoolFC.co.uk.

Lenihan’s rapid rise has caught the headlines in recent months, moving from Cork City to Hull City in August before being called up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad 37 days later. The former Cork City player was yesterday named in Noel King’s Republic of Ireland under 21 side for the upcoming friendlies with USA and Russia in Marbella.

Indeed the recently appointed Blackpool manager is well aware of Lenihan’s capabilities, having scouted him in his last position as Birmingham City.

"I was watching him before he signed for Hull when I was Birmingham City manager. He's very attack-minded and he's got great energy to get up and down the park.

"I spoke to Steve Bruce and since he's been at Hull he's been very impressed by him. We're going to enjoy working with him," he added.

The young full-back’s loan spell at Bloomfield Road will only add to the comparisons between the player and fellow Irish right back Séamus Coleman, who also moved to a Premier League club and had a loan spell at Blackpool before establishing himself as one of the best full backs in England.