Manset now a Carlisle player
**Update - all clearance received and registration completed as at 14.45hrs on Friday 22 March**
Carlisle United have today taken a big step towards completing the signature of French-born centre forward Mathieu Manset ahead of the home game against Yeovil Town this weekend.
Manset, 23, has put pen-to-paper on a short-term deal which will keep him at Brunton Park until the end of the season and the club can confirm that the necessary international clearance has now been received from both the Swiss and English Football Associations.
"He was cleared by the Swiss FA at just after half past ten this morning," managing director John Nixon said. "The English FA have completed their side of things and we can now move this process on.
"Our club secretary has done some excellent work on this over the last few days and the only thing left to complete the process is for us to get confirmation from the Football League that they have acknowledged his registration as a Carlisle United player.
"We don't foresee any problems with that at all so, as long as there are no hitches, Mathieu Manset will be available for the manager to select, if required, on Saturday."
The big striker teamed up with the Cumbrians for a trial spell two weeks ago and was immediately highlighted as a target by manager Greg Abbott.
He had been a free agent since his release from Swiss side FC Sion in January this year and has had trial spells with Blackpool, Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday since returning to England.
“We’re pleased that we have finally got this one finalised,” manager Greg Abbott said. “There has been a hold-up with the international clearance side of things but that’s done and dusted now.
“We can put that behind us and Manny can get started on what it is he has come to us to do. He wants to show everyone that he is ready to get his career back on track and, if that turns out to be the case, this should prove to be an excellent move for all concerned.
"He obviously now comes into consideration for tomorrow and it can never be a bad thing for us to have more options as we go into what is a very important game.”
Manset started his career with Le Havre AC but moved across the channel to sign for Hereford United in 2009. He scored ten goals in 50 appearances for the Bulls and was snapped up by Reading as he earned interest from a number of clubs.
Five goals in 29 appearances followed for The Royals but he accepted a surprise loan move to Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua at the end of the 2010/11 campaign.
