Former-Saints free agent joins Cumbrians
Carlisle United have today signed former-Grimsby, Crystal Palace and Southampton utility-man Danny Butterfield on non-contract terms ahead of the Friday evening game against Colchester.
Butterfield, 33, started his career as a youngster with Grimsby and went on to make over 150 appearances in his six-year spell at the club.
He left ‘The Mariners’ to join Crystal Palace on a free transfer in 2002 and went on to enjoy another fantastic five-year spell with 250 first-team appearances under his belt.
A three-month loan spell with Charlton preceded a permanent move to join Southampton in 2010 and a further loan with Bolton Wanderers at the end of last season signalled an end to his stay at St Mary’s.
Currently a free agent, he joined the Cumbrians for their Tuesday morning training session this week and immediately impressed the management team.
“Danny knows the game inside out and he’s played consistently well at a high level,” manager Greg Abbott said. “He has that bit of knowledge and experience which could help us out at the moment, and it’s a case of us helping him along the way as well.
“I got a call from Shaun Derry, who knows Danny really well, and he said that he was available and looking for a club. We invited him up and he has been extremely bright and positive from the moment he got here. He’s a strong character and he’s already fitted in with the group.
“He’s a player who can cover the right back or right midfield role and he’s keen and eager to play. He’s fit and he has that bit of quality which comes with the amount of games he’s played with the clubs he’s been with.
“He’s with us on non-contract terms initially and, if all goes well, we can take it from there.”
Butterfield will wear squad number 28.
