Carlisle United Manager Paul Simpson has revealed that the club is on the verge of securing a new goalkeeper, attributing the delay to a “paperwork issue,” as reported by The News and Star.
Since the injury to Reading loanee Jokull Andresson in October’s EFL Trophy clash against Nottingham Forest under 21s, Tomas Holy has been the go-to goalkeeper for the League One team. The 31-year-old had been a consistent presence for Carlisle, notably in the successful play-off final against Stockport County during the 2022-23 season.
With Holy as the primary goalkeeper and 19-year-old Gabriel Breeze as the only alternative, the club is actively seeking another shot-stopper to bolster their options. Although the identity of the free-agent goalkeeper remains undisclosed, the individual has been training with the team for the past few weeks. Simpson anticipates a swift resolution to the paperwork issue and mentioned another unnamed free agent currently undergoing evaluation.
Simpson acknowledged the ongoing search for reinforcements, emphasizing the potential necessity to wait until January for new additions. Despite the current challenges, the manager expressed optimism about strengthening the squad and achieving their season goals.
In recent moves, Carlisle secured former Grimsby Town defender Joshua Emmanuel from the free-agent market, with the player already making appearances in League One clashes against Reading and Charlton Athletic. The team, currently positioned 22nd in League One, suffered a notable defeat against Reading but has seen a positive turn with the recent takeover by the American-based Piatek family.
Considering the injury to Andresson, the pursuit of a new goalkeeper appears justified. While Holy can hold the fort for now, the potential reliance on the inexperienced Breeze underscores the importance of acquiring additional goalkeeping talent. Speculation arises about potential candidates like Jed Steer, Joe Lewis, or Matt Macey, all of whom are currently free agents.
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