Declan Rice’s cousin joins EFL club on loan as statement released

Declan Rice’s cousin Finley Munroe has joined Blackpool on loan for the season from Middlesbrough.

The Seasiders confirmed the arrival of the 21-year-old on Monday as he prepares to play in the third division for the first time in his career.

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Munroe can play at left-back or centre-back and has been on loan at Real Union and Swindon Town so far.

He joined Boro in January from Aston Villa, but the club have now sent him out on another temporary deal.

This is, though, another step forwards in his career, and he joins up with Ian Evatt’s side.

Speaking to the club’s website at his unveiling, he said: “I’ve had some really positive discussions with the gaffer.

“The way he wants to play and the ambitions he has for this season really attracted me to the club. I think it’s a good fit for me.”

And Evatt is looking forward to getting him involved as well.

He said: “We are delighted to have added Finley to our ranks, providing further quality to our back line ahead of the league campaign kicking off this weekend.

“He is someone who has undoubted quality and is keen to progress even further here at Bloomfield Road. 

“I believe he will be a key player for us on the left-hand side of our team and I can’t wait to start working with him.”

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Munroe’s career so far

Munroe is one of many Chelsea academy graduates who moved on before getting a chance with the first team, much like his cousin Rice.

At 16, he headed to the Midlands to join up with Villa and progressed through the ranks there.

He did manage two senior appearances while at Villa Park due to his ability to play anywhere across the left of the defence.

During his final loan spell while at Villa, Munroe worked under former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway at Swindon Town.

That gave him a first taste of men’s senior football in England before Boro swooped and agree to pay around £300,000 for him.

He impressed that much on loan with Swindon that the Championship side decided to take a punt.

Now, he has the chance to show what he can do in League One before potentially getting a crack in the Premier League.

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Rebuilding

Blackpool start their league campaign at home against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, and Munroe will be pushing for an immediate debut.

The Tangerines beat Grimsby 3-1 in the EFL Cup on Saturday as the tournament got domestic football under way and they will now face Lincoln in the second round.

They finished the previous campaign well under Evatt as he took over from Steve Bruce.

However, pre-season saw mixed results with losses to Tranmere, Barrow, and Port Vale, but a draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Blackpool also lost Ashley Fletcher, who scored 15 goals for the League One side last season, to Huddersfield Town.

Striker Dion Charles has moved in the opposite direction on loan, while Karoy Anderson, Ilmari Niskanen, and Jordan Williams are also arrivals.