Midfielder Russell Penn has left Carlisle United by mutual consent.

Penn, 31, now joins National League side Wrexham until the end of the season.

Penn joined the Cumbrians ahead of the current campaign.

But, after finding first-team football hard to come by, he spent time out on loan at Gateshead.

That loan spell came to an end, shortly after Christmas.

"Russ is a great professional and a player I have a lot of time for," Blues boss Keith Curle told the United website.

"He has an excellent character and is completely on board with everything we are trying to achieve.

"However, he loves the game and he isn’t a player who is happy to sit on the bench.

"He's watched the start to the season we’ve had and he’s seen that the players in his position are going to be very hard to dislodge."

Curle added: "That’s why he was keen to join Gateshead, because he’s at an age and a stage of his career where he needs to be playing.

"This chance has come up for him at Wrexham and I know he’ll grasp it with both hands.

“He’s joining a fantastic club with a good set-up and I’m sure he’ll give them absolutely everything.

"It goes without saying that he leaves here with our best wishes.”

Wrexham are currently in 15th place in the National League table on 35 points from 28 games.