Carlisle United are delighted to announce that forward Harry McKirdy has today put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal (with a review) which keeps him at Brunton Park until at least the end of the 2019/20 season.
McKirdy, 22, initially came through the Stoke City academy system before making the switch to Aston Villa at the tender age of 14.
He has been with Villa ever since, and made his first step into League Two with a loan spell at Stevenage where he bagged two goals in a half-season stay between August 2016 and January 2017.
His next half-season loan deal took him to Gresty Road where he scored three goals in 16 appearances, this time between January and June 2018.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at promotion chasing Newport County, where he scored once in 13 games.
Manager Steven Pressley said: “We’re delighted to have Harry on board. He fits the profile of the kind of player I’m looking for in that he's young, ambitious and hungry at what is a pivotal moment in his career.
“He’s a player who is very attack minded and who likes to score and create goals. Positionally he's very versatile, with the ability to play wide on either side or centrally, depending on how we approach the game. He’s sharp, he travels well with the ball and he’s a terrific finisher.
“I’ve spoken to the staff at Aston Villa, and I’ve watched him play, and I know he’s a lad who has excellent character and who wants to kick on. He really is at a point where he feels that all he needs is a platform where he can show people what he is capable of.
“His loan spells with League Two clubs means he knows what this level is about and there’s a real determination within him that he’s going to come here and be successful. I’m really pleased to have acquired his services.”
This deal remains subject to the clearance of all necessary paperwork.
