Carlisle United have today captured keeper Lukas Jensen on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Burnley.
Jensen, 22, signed for the Clarets in September 2019 after impressing during a trial period.
The Dane started his career with hometown club Helsingor and also enjoyed a spell with second-tier outfit Hellerup IK.
He became a regular in the Clarets' U23s side, building up a reputation for saving penalties, and penned a new deal at Turf Moor in January 2020.
He progressed to the first-team squad and featured on the bench following the Premier League's project restart towards the end of the 2019/20 season, and the departure from Turf Moor of Joe Hart.
Jensen then secured a loan move to Bolton Wanderers in January 2021 and was part of their League Two promotion-winning squad, as understudy to Matt Gilks.
A trigger of a 12-month extension was activated at the end of last season and he immediately joined Icelandic side Kordrengir on a two-month loan deal, before heading back to the UK to team up with the Blues.
Manager Chris Beech said: “It’s no secret that we were in the market for a goalkeeper and the phones have been active with various options over the past few weeks, so it’s pleasing to welcome Lukas to the football club.
“He joins us on-loan from Burnley where he’s held in high regard. They see him as having a real chance in the game, and there were other clubs who were also looking to take him, but both Burnley and Lukas consider us as the right destination for him.
“Lukas had a loan spell with Bolton last season, but didn’t play. He’s been around that promotion winning environment and that will have done him a lot of good.
“A huge positive for me is that he has joined up with us having been over in Iceland, playing in their summer league. Burnley cut short that loan so he could come here. He’s done a couple of months where he’s been playing games back-to-back which will be hugely beneficial to us and him.”
“In terms of goalkeeping, his standout attribute is his physicality,” he continued. “He’s 6ft 6”, and League Two football can be won or lost on set plays.
“Lukas fills the goal, he’s 22 years of age, so not a junior keeper, but one probably on the cusp of pushing on to establishing himself in that first-team environment.”
“From a Carlisle United perspective, we’ve already got a huge talent in Magnus Norman,” he commented. “He’s another with great attributes and we saw glimpses of that last year whenever he played.
“His dominance when getting the ball, his kicking and throwing were all excellent when he came in, and he’s maturing into the player I think he’ll become.
“I want to generate a real competitive edge for that position. There’s no benefit in having one goalkeeper who is so much better than the other that’s it’s pointless the other being in the building.
“Both our keepers also have the ambition, professionalism and energy that is so important to establish, backed up with two incredibly talented youngsters in Gabe Breeze and Scott Simons.
“Dan, our goalkeeping coach, can’t wait to get on with it. It’s like Christmas Day morning for him. He’s got some talented lads to push forward on a daily basis and the competitiveness in that area will stand us well for the season ahead.”
Lukas, who has been training with the club since early July, will play in the friendly at Chorley on Tuesday night.
This deal remains subject to the completion of all necessary paperwork, and to the receipt of International Clearance.
