Carlisle United Football Club

Bolton-born Adams, 29, has most recently been with League Two title winners Northampton Town where he became the player to record ‘most assists’ across the division in what was a hugely successful campaign on both a personal and club level.

Manager Keith Curle said: “Nicky has a fantastic pedigree and he knows this level extremely well. 

“He wants the ball to feet and he is very urgent in and out of possession. He’s a good character to have around the dressing room and he’ll bring a bit of a spark to what we do out on the pitch.

“He’s a player we first looked at bringing through the door in January and it’s good that we’ve been able to follow it up. 

“He is an excellent player with a lot of good attributes and we are very much looking forward to working with him.”

Adams came through the youth system with Bury and went on to score 15 goals in just over 90 appearances in what was a bright start to his playing career. He was snapped up by Leicester City for a reported fee of £100,000 in the summer of 2008 and scored twice in his 38 run-outs with the Foxes.

He had loan spells with Rochdale and Leyton Orient during his two-year stay and made a permanent move to Brentford in 2010. A second three-month loan stay with Dale preceded a permanent and enjoyable move to Spotland in January 2011.

Over 60 appearances in 18 months earned him a switch to Crawley where he was an almost ever-present in his year-and-a-half in the deep south. He moved back up north to join Rotherham during the January 2014 transfer window but he returned to his roots in Bury for a second spell, in May 2014, before signing for the Cobblers where he helped them to clinch the League Two crown last season. 

Adams appeared on five occasions for the Wales U21 side having made his debut for his country against France in November 2007.

This deal remains subject to the completion of all necessary paperwork.