Yeates joins Philly at Blackpool

NEW COLOURS . . . Mark Yeates has signed a deal with Blackpool.

MARK Yeates has made it a double-whammy of player losses to rivals Blackpool.

The winger passed a medical yesterday along with former Athletic team-mate Danny Philliskirk and signed an 18-month deal with a 12 month option.

Yeates (30), whose existing Athletic contract only had two weeks to run, arranged to end his stay early for the move. It is understood the former Colchester and Watford player hadn’t yet been offered new terms by Athletic.

Philliskirk’s exit to Blackpool comes with a two-year contract, also with a 12 month option.

“As soon as I knew Blackpool were in for me, I felt wanted and couldn’t wait to come here,” Philliskirk said. “But Oldham looked after me well.”

There could be further exits from SportsDirect.com Park. Rhys Turner has signed for Macclesfield on loan until the end of January, and Athletic are seeking takers for Dominic Poleon, with the forward currently out of favour.