Premier League newcomers Blackpool sign four players

Premier League newcomers Blackpool have signed four players with manager Ian Holloway making his first acquisitions of the close season to help bolster the squad, the club said on Wednesday.

Defender Craig Cathcart joined from Manchester United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, along with midfielders Ludovic Sylvestre, Malaury Martin and Elliot Grandin.

Former France under-21 winger Grandin, now 22, signed on a two-year deal as a free agent from CSKA Sofia having failed to settle at the 31-times Bulgarian champions.

"He wasn't happy here and moving to another club was the best option for him," CSKA coach Pavel Dochev told reporters.

Martin, 21, has joined on a one-year contract as a free transfer from Monaco having been on trial for the past month.

The 26-year-old former Barcelona trainee Sylvestre arrived from Czech side Mlada Boleslav on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Blackpool, who last played in the top flight in 1971, open their Premier League campaign at Wigan Athletic on Saturday.