IT is proving to be quite a summer for Warrington professional footballer Matthew Pennington.

The former St Gregory’s High School student has not only been the focus of a transfer move – he has got married too!

Great Sankey’s ‘Penno’, 28, published pictures from his wedding day at Plas Dinam Country House in Llandinam, Powys, North Wales, on his Twitter and Instagram accounts earlier this week before it was then confirmed he had left Shrewsbury Town to sign a two-year deal with Blackpool FC.

 

The central defender has hailed it ‘The best summer, Mr and Mrs Pennington.’ Everton FC Academy graduate Pennington officially starts the new chapter of his career at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

It follows being named players’ player of the year at the end of his three seasons with The Shrews, whom he initially joined on a season’s loan before making the permanent move from Everton.

Pennington, who also had loan spells from the Toffees with Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Walsall, Coventry City and Tranmere Rovers between 2013 and 2020, has a further 12-month option in his new deal with Blackpool.

“I’m really excited to be here,” said Pennington about joining Blackpool, who were relegated from the Championship to EFL League One at the end of last season.

“This seems like a brilliant place to play football, and I can’t wait to get started.”

He spoke of his attributes and that he knows some of the Seasiders’ other players.

“First and foremost I’m a defender and enjoy doing that part of the game,” he said.

“I’m a team player and can play with the ball as well.

“I know a few of the lads here such as Callum Connolly and Shayne Lavery and I’m excited to see them again.

“I can’t wait to continue growing and continue learning in tangerine.”

Pennington spent 16 years at Goodison Park, making his senior debut in 2015, before enjoying his successful loan spells and latterly the seasons at New Meadow.

He was called up to England U19s in 2013 and is familiar to Blackpool head coach Neil Critchley from his time in charge of Liverpool U18s.

Critchley said: “Matthew is a player I have been aware of for a number of years and I am delighted we have beaten off significant competition from other clubs for his signature.

“After a successful spell at Shrewsbury where he won the players’ player of the season award last year, we feel we have signed an established player at this level with the potential to improve further.”