Chimbonda signs three-month contract
Carlisle United have today signed former French international defender Pascal Chimbonda on a three-month deal which keeps him at Brunton Park until 18 January 2014.
Chimbonda, 34, started his career with Le Havre in France and made the move to Bastia in 2003 having made over 100 appearances with his first club.
He came to England in 2005, when he signed for Wigan, and had since played for Spurs, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Doncaster Rovers.
The experienced central defender teamed up with the Cumbrians at the beginning of this week and impressed manager Graham Kavanagh with his attitude and determination.
“I obviously played with him at Wigan and Sunderland so I know what he's capable of,” Kavanagh said. “I've seen a real positive change in him over the last week. He’s come here and been a breath of fresh air.
“He's been excellent in training this week in terms of his energy levels and he just wants to play football.”
"He's been playing in non-league football to keep himself fit, not because that's the level he should be playing at,” he continued. “I spoke to him on Sunday and he flew over from Paris on Monday morning.
“We did some testing on Tuesday and I was actually surprised with his levels of fitness. It will take him a few games to get his match fitness back fully but I think he's got the ability.”
We’ll have more from Graham Kavanagh and Pascal Chimbonda later today.
This deal remains subject to FA and Football League clearance.
Chimbonda will wear squad number 39.
