ATHLETIC manager James McPake has said that Brad Holmes "fits the profile" they were seeking after making a loan move for the forward.

The 21-year-old, who was due to link-up with his new team-mates yesterday (Wednesday), arrived on a deal until the end of the season from Blackpool on Tuesday.

Holmes is Dunfermline's second signing of the January transfer window, after Malachi Fagan-Walcott, who made his debut against Dundee United on Saturday, joined on a similar arrangement from Cardiff City, and could make his debut against Greenock Morton this weekend.

After making his first start for the Seasiders in May 2021, in a win over Bristol Rovers, Holmes signed his first professional contract with them that summer.

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Loan spells with FC United of Manchester, Chorley and AFC Fylde have followed, as has a stint with National League North outfit Southport during the first half of this season, where he scored five times in 21 occasions.

Holmes will link-up with Blackpool club-mate, Owen Moffat, who joined the Pars on loan in September, who McPake revealed had played his part in the deal.

READ MORE: Pars complete loan deal for forward

"I first became aware of him last pre-season when I was watching Owen Moffat for Blackpool against Rangers in a reserve or development game at Murray Park," McPake told Press Sport.

"He caught my eye then and I've just kept tabs on him. He's went out on loan this season and we saw we had the chance to get him up, obviously with the help of Moff speaking to him as well.

"It was one we were keen to do and we're delighted to get him up.

"I think it helps when you've got a player, certainly that knows the player that you're looking at. I don't particularly know what Moff said to him but, just from the chats that I've had with Brad and Moff, he was keen to come and we're certainly keen to get him up.

"He's a striker that can add to our squad.

"He is young. He's played at Championship and League One level for Blackpool, he's obviously played at National League as well, so even though he's young, what I like about him is he wants to get out and play. He's trying to play first team football, and it's not his first loan.

"It's his first one away from home, these loans being local, but he's been out on loan, he's keen to develop and play first team football. He certainly fits the profile we were looking for in a striker. We're looking forward to working with him."

When asked what he could offer in comparison to other forwards he has at his disposal, McPake added: "We never compare him to a striker we've got. He'll bring his own attributes. He's big, he's strong, he's quick, good finisher, so that's what we were looking at.

"In terms of character, we got the good words from Moff and Stephen Dobbie (Blackpool's Senior Professional Development Phase Coach). Speaking to him, he rates him very highly as a player and a person as well.

"We've seen enough of him ourselves through our own analysis and what we've seen of him, so we're looking forward to working with him."