Carlisle United have unveiled their first January window signing – two weeks early.
Luke Armstrong will link up with United in preparation for his debut in the New Year after the deal has been completed between United, the player and Armstrong’s club Harrogate.
United manager Paul Simpson said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get Luke in. He’s a player who I would have loved to sign in the summer, but he was out of our reach in terms of finances.
“He’s going to come in and work with us so that we’ve got control over what he’s doing.
“He obviously can’t play and he can’t be registered to play until the first of January. The first game he’ll be available for is the Exeter away game.
“He’s a real good addition and is the first of what I hope will be maybe five or six more.
“I think it shows the intent of what we want. We are absolutely determined to stay in League One and the owners are absolutely determined to stay in League One.
“We need some help so we need to strengthen the group. Luke is a great addition and is coming with a real determination of wanting to come and do well.
“I think there was a few issues because of the deal on deadline day last summer. Harrogate have made the decision and Luke has made the decision that they still wanted a move to happen.
“I was absolutely delighted to know that we had the opportunity to sign him, so that’s part of the work that’s been going on in the background. I think everybody will look and think that’s a positive step forward.
“He’s an energetic player, he’s got a bit of nastiness about him and can score goals as well. We’ve got to make sure that as a group, we settle him into the squad and settle him into the football club. We need to get him used to us and get used to him.”
