Published at 08:05, Friday, 22 June 2012

Carlisle United’s new signing Danny Cadamarteri said the passion of manager Greg Abbott convinced him to snub four other offers to join the Blues.

Danny Cadamarteri

The released Huddersfield frontman signed a two-year deal yesterday to become United’s second summer recruit.

The 32-year-old ex-Everton and Dundee United star rejected two clubs in the Scottish Premier League and a pair of Carlisle’s League One rivals.

And Cadamarteri said Abbott’s enthusiasm and belief that 2012/13 could be a promotion year for the Cumbrians had helped make his mind up.

“The manager is very passionate guy, about his football and this club,” said Cadamarteri, who revealed Carlisle had tried to sign him on loan last season. “He really sold the club to me on a number of occasions.

“I also know a few players here like Andy Welsh, JP McGovern, Paul Thirwell and James Berrett. They have all said the management team are very passionate, with a great work ethic and that there is a really tight bond at the club. When you are moving clubs those are the things you want to hear.”

Carlisle have spent most of the close-season on Cadamarteri’s trail and finally sealed the deal yesterday when the former top-flight player passed a medical.

He becomes the second experienced addition this summer after defender Mike Edwards’ arrival from Notts County.

And the former England Under-21 international, who was left out of Huddersfield’s squad for last season’s play-off final victory, believes he can play a central role in helping the Blues reach the Championship.

He said: “I’ve signed a two-year contract and part of the reason for that was to hopefully enjoy my first season, get promoted and have the opportunity to play in the Championship with Carlisle. It’s better to be an optimist. The club was unfortunate to miss out last season with losing key players – Lee Miller being one of them – for the last couple of games.

“This could be an interesting and exciting season. Hopefully I can contribute to that and push for the play-offs or even automatic promotion.”

Cadamarteri, who burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old for Everton with a goal in the Merseyside derby in 1997, can play as a central striker or out wide and his versatility appeals to Abbott.

He featured in 16 games for the Terriers last season without scoring and has more than 370 career appearances and 39 goals to his name.

“I’ve had some great times and experiences in my career but it’s better to look forward than into the past. I could have gone to Scotland and the SPL, but I’ve done everything I wanted to do in Scotland, including playing in the Europa League and winning the Scottish Cup. Now I want to be involved in another League One promotion and play an active part in that with Carlisle.”

He said the move also appealed because of United’s style of play, and also for family reasons. “It’s not too far away from home and means I don’t have to uproot my young family as well, but if we were to move here we wouldn’t have far to go to be back near the rest of the family,” he added.

Abbott is away on holiday but the United manager also expects to finalise new contracts with Peter Murphy, Frank Simek and James Berrett before pre-season training starts on July 5.

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