20-year-old forward Joe Garner, who recently signed for Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £1.14 million, has today thanked Carlisle United for the way he was treated during his time with the club.

He said: "I had a fantastic 18 months at Carlisle and will never forget the backing I received during my time at Brunton Park. It was an extremely difficult decision to leave the club but, at this stage in my career, I simply couldn't turn down the chance to play in the Championship."

"I would have loved to have played at the higher level with Carlisle but unfortunately, despite coming so close, it wasn't to be," he added. "I would like to thank the Managing Director John Nixon and the rest of the board of directors, as well as John Ward, the manager, and the rest of the coaching staff who have helped make me a better player than the one who first arrived at the club. But, in particular, I would like to thank the Carlisle supporters, especially for the encouragement and incredible support I received when I suffered a knee injury last season."

Garner now continues his rehabilitation at the City Ground where it is hoped that he could make a return to first team football before Christmas.