Pic: Blackpool FC
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH hope Raul Correia’s move to Blackpool will convince more young players to rebuild their careers with the club.
Correia, 22, re-joined Radcliffe in May after a spells with National League North side Chorley and Step 4 club Trafford.
He has enjoyed a fruitful season in the Evo-Stik NPL Division One North, scoring 11 times in 22 games to gain interest from the Football League.
The forward spent time training with League Two outfit Blackpool last week and did enough to convince boss Mark Bowyer that he could make the step up.
The Tangerines agreed an undisclosed fee with Radcliffe for the Portuguese forward, who was born in Angola, and Correia has signed an 18-month deal.
Radcliffe chairman Paul Hilton told the club’s website: “The deal further underpins the philosophy of development and progression the club takes with its players and represents good value for all concerned.
“We are confident in our ability to develop and we hope that other players will see the club as the place to be if they are serious about progressing in the game.
“Everyone at Radcliffe Borough look forward to following Raul’s career with great interest and wish him well for the future.”
Correia added: “It’s always been my dream since I was young to be a professional and I wouldn’t give this chance up. I’ve always had the confidence that I could play professionally.