Carlisle City have signed the former Workington Reds defender Jordan Little as they return to training tonight.
Little, the Reds Player of the Year last season, announced recently he was leaving the club.
The Workington-based defender has new work commitments and also wanted to cut down on the amount of travelling he had to make to play his football.
Kirkup said: “I got to know Jordan well when he played for us last time and he is a really good defender and a great type of lad.
“I was over the moon when he indicated he would be happy to join us.
“It’s a double celebration, too, because Callum Birdsall is back from his world tour and available for us again.
“We really missed him when he went before Christmas last season and we were never the same side.
“The fact that we have Rob McCartney back for a proper full season after we bedded him in slowly at the end of last season following a long injury absence, is another huge bonus.”
City also have a new goalkeeper coming to training tonight, but they will be without forward Jordan Palmer who has left the club.
City have already lined-up six pre-season friendlies starting on June 26 with a trip to Lochmaben.
Highlight is a home game on Saturday, July 11 against champions of the NPL Premier Division Hebburn Town who will be playing in National North next season.
Carlisle United have also agreed to send a team on Tuesday, July 14.
The other games are Friday, July 3 – Millom (H); Tuesday, July 7 – Threave Rovers (H) and Thursday, July 16 – Whitehaven (A).
To hear Kirkup talk about the signing of Little; City’s build-up to the new Northern League season and who will win Division One, listen below:
