Simms has put pen to paper on a loan deal at the Lancashire outfit on Wednesday, that will see him ply his trade under Seasiders boss Critchley for the remainder of the season in League One.

 

The 20-year-old found the back of the net eight times for David Unsworth’s Under-23s side in 12 Premier League 2 outings and made the bench twice in the senior team under Carlo Ancelotti across all competitions this season.

 

 

Critchley revealed that the young striker has been on his radar for a few years and believes the Toffees starlet is ready to step into playing senior football.

 

The Seasiders boss has backed Simms to add a different edge to his attacking arsenal and also expressed his gratitude to the Merseyside giants for trusting them with his continued development.

 

 

“Ellis has an outstanding goal record at under-18 and under-23 level and I believe he’s now ready for this step into senior football”, Critchley told Blackpool’s official site.

 

“He’s a player I’ve been aware of for a few years now and I’m delighted that he’s chosen to sign for us, given that he had a number of options available.

 

 

“He will add something different at the top end of the pitch and I would like to thank Everton for trusting us with his continued development.”

 

Simms has been on the books at Goodison Park since the age of 16 and will now look to kick on with his development under Critchley and could make his Blackpool debut at the weekend when his team square off against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup.