Striker Danny Graham has turned down the offer of a further two-year contract at Brunton Park as he seeks to take on a new challenge in his football career.

Graham indicated via his agent yesterday afternoon that he would be seeking employment with another club for next season despite the fact that Carlisle United had made what they believe was their biggest ever offer in an attempt to secure the retention of a player's services.

The 23-year-old striker signed his first two-year deal with the Cumbrians in the summer of 2007 having spent three months on-loan at Brunton Park, scoring an amazing 7 goals in an 11 game spell towards the end of the 2006-07 campaign.

He went on to notch 40 goals in just over 100 starts and was the club top scorer in both of the last two seasons, with 17 and 16 strikes respectively.

Greg Abbott said: "Danny has told us that he feels it is time for a new challenge and that he wants to ply his trade elsewhere.

"We made what we felt was an excellent offer to try to keep him at the club, but the player has decided that it is time for him to move on. We have to accept that and move on ourselves.  

"We wish Danny all the best as he has been fantastic for us, and we will now continue the search to bring in the kind of player who will improve the squad and take us to where we want to be."