Josh Grant has landed a one-year deal with Carlisle United after impressing on trial with the Blues. 

Grant, 26, turned down a contract with rivals Wealdstone at the end of the 2024/25 season and arrives at United having secured a one-year deal with an option. 

The London born defender spent time on trial with United during pre-season and now joins Mark Hughes’ squad on a permanent basis. 

Head of Football Operations, Marc Tierney said: “Josh is a dynamic and versatile midfielder who brings valuable EFL experience to Brunton Park, as well as having previously represented Chelsea at youth level.

“After an impressive week training with the squad, he’s already making his mark and is an exciting new addition to the team.”

Head of Recruitment, Martin Foyle added: “I’ve watched Josh over the years and he has the quality to take us back to the level where we want to be.

“Now we have real competition for places in the midfield area.

“We’re all looking forward to working with Josh and we’re delighted to have got this deal over the line.”

Grant his entire youth career at Chelsea having joined their academy at under 8 level where he was called up to the England U18 and U20 making ten appearances across the two age groups.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, he went out on loan to Yeovil and Plymouth to gain EFL experience. 

He left Chelsea at the end of the 2019/20 season and headed to Bristol Rovers where he signed a three-year deal with the then League One club. 

He was part of Rovers’ promotion winning squad in 2021/22, scoring three goals in his 26 appearances that season. 

He missed the 2022/23 season through injury before being offered a new deal to extend his stay into a fourth year, and made 36 appearances for the Gas during the 2023/24 season. 

After leaving Bristol Rovers, he joined National League side Wealdstone where he spent last season, making 25 appearances and scoring one goal. 

Grant could face his former club Wealdstone in the fourth game of the season when United head there on Saturday, August 23.