Former trialist Junior Joachim has joined Carlisle United - with fans helping to pay for his signing.

United have received international clearance in order to make the French forward their third signing in a week.

And they have landed Joachim in time to name him among their substitutes at Mansfield today.

The Blues have confirmed that some of the money raised by supporters in a crowdfunding initiative have gone towards the 24-year-old's arrival.

Fans raised more than £10,000 in the recent initiative after manager Keith Curle called for bigger crowds to boost his transfer budget.

CUOSC, who set up the crowdfunding website, said they offered Curle the cash to complete the deal with the Blues close to their salary cost management protocol limit.

CUOSC's new representative on the Carlisle holding company board, Billy Atkinson, said: "We are delighted that forward Junior Joachim has today joined Carlisle United, and has been funded by the supporters using the crowdfunding money pledged, and donated earlier this year.

"Back in January, Keith Curle made a suggestion that a crowd boost for the home game versus Barnet could free up enough funds to bring in an extra player or two ahead of the transfer deadline.

"United supporters on TheCumbrians.net forum came up with the idea of a crowdfunding campaign, and together supporters young and old, from all over the world raised in excess of £10,000 for Keith Curle to use on bringing in a new player.

"We were made aware that Keith Curle was targeting another player, and with the Salary Cap Management Protocol in mind, we made the offer to the Club to use the donation to fund the deal.

"We wish Junior Joachim, and the rest of the Carlisle United squad the very best of luck for the remainder of the season as they push on to achieve promotion from League Two."

Curle has also saluted the fans for their financial help with Joachim's signing.

He said on United's website: "This is a wonderful example of everyone pulling together and it tells me that our fans are desperate for us to succeed.

“Unity is massive in this business and I would like to thank the fans and CUOSC on behalf of everyone at the club.”

On the new arrival, Carlisle's boss added: “Junior worked hard during pre-season and he’s one we have kept tabs on with the contacts we have.

"He’s forward thinking, competitive and we think he will add different skill sets to those we already have in the group.

“He’ll bring more in the way of firepower and we’re hoping he will have a very positive impact on the group.”

Joachim has joined James Hooper and Joe Ward in signing short-term deals at Brunton Park this week.

His signing has gone through after the Blues clinched international clearance from the Luxembourg football authorities, Joachim's last club FC Wiltz in that country.

He was previously with French outfit Nantes whilst also having a spell with Boulogne, while he played several games for United last pre-season.