Carlisle United Announce First Summer Signing

Carlisle United have announced the signing of Jack Robinson from Middlesbrough on a two-year deal, according to the club’s official website.

The 22-year-old will be a familiar face at Brunton Park, having spent the second half of the season on loan with the Cumbrian side. Robinson would make eight appearance during his loan spell but was a part of every single match day squad since joining on loan in mid-January.

Robinson is Paul Simpson’s first summer signing and will be used as a rotational player in defence. The youngster already knows the system at Carlisle and is versatile enough to play both as a left-back in a back four as well as a left-wing-back in a back five, which is Simpson’s favoured formation.

The Cumbrians will be playing in the third tier for the first time since 2014, having gained promotion through the play-offs. Carlisle would finish the season in fifth after their form tailed off towards the end of the season, but turned that form around in the play-offs. Having lost 1-0 to Bradford in the first leg, the Blues equalled that scoreline at Brunton Park in the second leg before surpassing Bradford in extra-time. A trip to Wembley against Stockport County would follow, where they’d come from behind again before taking the game to penalties and holding their nerve to defeat Stockport by the thinnest of margins.

Who is Jack Robinson?

Robinson has been a part of the Middlesbrough academy since he was 13, and made two senior appearances at the Riverside stadium. A regular in both their under-18s and under-21s, the youngster would be loaned out to National League side Yeovil in 2021 to gain experience in the senior ranks. The defender would return to Boro for the first half of the 2022/23 season before joining Carlisle on loan for the second half of the year. Now signing for the Cumbrians permanently, Robinson will act as cover for Jack Armer but should also see increased minutes in both League One as well as cup competitions next year.

What’s been said?

Speaking to the club’s official website, manager Paul Simpson said:

“I’m really pleased that we’ve done this, Jack impressed me when he spent his time here on loan with us last season.

“He was really unfortunate that he didn’t get to play more games than he did, but that was because of the form Jack Armer was in.

“I want competition for places and I think Jack certainly gives us that. He’s the right sort of character, he’s got a good personality and he certainly has ability.

“I’m hoping he’s going to use us as a base to go and develop for the next stage of his career.”

“The good thing is that when he did play he didn’t look out of place. He’s got some ability with a lovely left foot and he’s a very good athlete.

“He ticks the box. He’s had a really good grounding from Middlesbrough with the upbringing he’s had and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Writer’s view

As a Blues fan, I’m glad this one got over the line. We didn’t get to see much of Robinson last season, but as Simpson said, Jack Armer was basically unplayable. Depth is certainly needed across the back-line, and Robinson will see an increased amount of minutes in the forthcoming season. It is a bonus that he already knows the club and the set-up, and hopefully this is the first of a few signings announced this week.

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