Carlisle United have today signed central defender Max Hunt on an 18-month contract (with a club option) from Derby County, on an undisclosed deal, which keeps him at Brunton Park until at least the summer of 2021.
Hunt, 20, spent the first half of this season on-loan from parent club Derby with National League side Aldershot Town, where he scored once in his 22 appearances.
United boss Chris Beech said: “He’s a 20-year-old lad who has played at Matlock, and that’s where he caught the eye of the staff at Derby.
"He’s played a lot of games for their under-23s and he’s had some really good experience through the first half of this season at Aldershot.
“That gave him the chance to get a taste of conference football and it’s a spell he enjoyed. He’s a big lad with a great attitude and I’m really pleased that he’s joined us, because I do know that there was interest in him from other clubs.
“I also know that Derby were quite happy to retain him for another year, with a view to getting him out on loan again. For us to get him on a permanent deal in these circumstances is very good news for us now, and in the future.”
“He could have taken the easy option and stayed with Derby,” he added. “He could have looked at the options available that were there with the club he was loaned out to but he’s decided to challenge and test himself, which is exactly what we want to see.
“While we understand that none of us are ever the finished article, he’s already demonstrated that he wants to improve and progress, and the positive mental approach he has towards this next step really came across when I met him and spoke to him.
“He also has family in the area, he knows Carlisle and he’s looking forward to working with us. It’s been good to work with David [Holdsworth] on this and it’s pleasing to see the club supporting longer contracts, because that gives us time to build and grow, which I feel is important for everybody.”
The imposing centre back, who stands at 6’6”, established himself with the under-23s with the Rams last season and captained the side on multiple occasions as he made 20 appearances in all competitions.
He joined Derby from Matlock Town in January 2018 and became a regular feature at the heart of Darren Wassall’s defence before heading out for his loan spell in Aldershot.
Hunt will wear squad number 33.
