Carlisle United can confirm that defender Max Hunt has made his move to National League side Yeovil Town a permanent one following a successful initial one-month loan stay.
Hunt, 21, joined the Blues on an 18-month contract from Derby County during the January 2020 transfer window, and will now be with the Glovers until the end of the 2021/22 season.
He had spent the first half of the 2019/20 campaign on-loan from the Rams with Aldershot Town, where he scored once in his 22 appearances.
The imposing centre back, who stands at 6’6”, established himself with the under-23s with County during the 18/19 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.
He made a total of nine appearances for the Blues, most recently in the Papa John’s Trophy home win over Aston Villa where he took on the duties of team captain.
Manager Chris Beech said: “Max, similar to Gavin Reilly, had an opportunity present itself where it was important to consider the views of both parties.
“He initially went out on-loan to Yeovil to get game time, because that's what he needs. He’s at the stage of his career now where the lion’s share of his development will come from minutes on the pitch.
“He’s done ever so well for them and they’ve been keen to keep him. He’s attracted attention elsewhere, as good young players do.
“They’ve been in a position to provide him with the security of a long-term contract in a pandemic, and that’s something that none of us can overlook.”
“By allowing Max to go and get the game time he needs to develop, and with the security of a longer deal in today’s footballing terms, we have been able to redistribute funds elsewhere within the squad, and it helps to make us better,” he continued.
“With Max as a character, he’s a great lad. He has an ultra-professional attitude to his game, he takes advice well and he wants to improve. He has the physical attributes to be a really effective central defender and he has a very good passing range.
“I’ve no doubt he’ll grow with the minutes on the pitch he gets and prove to be a really valuable asset as Yeovil look to climb up the table.
"He goes with my best wishes and, in fact, the best wishes of everybody at the club.”
