Carlisle United have announced that nine players have been signed to scholarships as the club heads to Chesterfield.

The nine U16 players have signed scholarships at Brunton Park for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons.

Carlisle’s Academy manager Steven Rudd said: “Well done to all of the above players who have been offered and accepted their scholarships for next season.

“We are very excited to see them all join us full-time in the summer and look forward to seeing how the players progress over the next two seasons.

“I would like to thank all the Academy staff who have worked with the players across the different age groups.

“Seeing players progress through the system gives us all great satisfaction as we look to produce the next Gabe Breeze, Jack Ellis, Jarrad Branthwaite and Taylor Charters.

“A final thank you must go to the parents and families of the players. Without them, this success isn’t possible.

“The commitment they all put in, the time and effort to get players to training and fixtures and the support/encouragement they give the boys to be the best they possibly can be is invaluable.

“We really appreciate their support.”

The nine players are goalkeeper Sam Worth; centre backs Olly Penney and Alex McDonough; right back William Hatton; centre midfielder/right back Tai Bell; midfielder Zac Tonge and wingers William Rafferty, Reuben Towers and Amaru Smith.

Carlisle have signed a blend of local Cumbrian talent with several players having been in the club’s Academy from a young age.

In the short term focus will be on the club maintaining its league status as Mark Hughes side travel to Chesterfield on Tuesday, April 1, having slipped to the foot of the table.

They sit bottom nine points from Tranmere in twenty-second with seven games left.