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Mauricio Pochettino was not afraid to predict a big future for the Tottenham Hotspur academy product 10 years ago.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham star Josh Onomah has been made a free agent following his release from League One outfit Blackpool this week.
The Tangerines confirmed their retained list on Monday evening with the 28-year-old one of the first team stars to be leaving the club on his contract’s expiry. Steve Bruce’s side finished ninth in the third tier this season, 11 points off the play-off zone.
Onomah joined Blackpool on a short term deal in October 2024 and extended his contract to last until the end of the season in January. The midfielder made just 15 League One appearances for the club, starting three matches. His only goal came in a 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town in one of those starts.
Josh Onomah released by League One club Blackpool
In a statement released by Blackpool along with the retained list, Bruce said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to all of the players for their contributions this season. This is always a difficult part of the job, but I wish all of the players leaving this summer the very best for their respective futures.
“Work is already well underway for the new season, and I am enthused by the plans we have in place for the summer and beyond. I look forward to us all working together over the coming months as we prepare for what we all hope will be a successful 2025/26 season at Bloomfield Road.”
The former Premier League star is a product of the Spurs academy and went on to make 32 appearances for the north London outfit. Onomah’s debut came in an FA Cup replay against Burnley in January 2015, which Spurs won 4-2 at White Hart Lane.
The player’s top flight debut came in November 2015 and his only goal for the club was scored against Gillingham in a 2016 League Cup match. In December 2015, the midfielder was labelled as ‘special’ by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Ex Tottenham and Fulham star labelled ‘special’ by Mauricio Pochettino
The Argentine was asked if Onomah could go on to represent England after breaking into the first team. He said: “Why not? It is impossible to set the limit for him as he is 18 and is very strong. His quality is amazing and he only needs to work hard and then he'll be fine.
“He is a special boy, a special player, because of his talent, his potential and his body. His body is powerful and he has quality in his feet. I don't know how he will develop.
“Sometimes you get an instinct about a player but I prefer to keep that inside. Football is always about input and feeling and sometimes you don't know why but you think this guy can be a top player. Maybe it is about knowledge about football as we have been in football all our life. I think we have a lot of talent here.”
Onomah eventually spent loan spells at Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday before joining Fulham in 2019. He spent four years at Craven Cottage and played 76 times for the club, the most appearances he has made for a team.
The midfielder was part of the Championship winning team in 2022 and part of the Championship play-off winning side two years earlier in 2020. A short stint at Preston North End followed before his arrival at Blackpool last year.
In other news, Tottenham set for huge Europa League final boost as Premier League 'announcement planned'.