Former Carlisle United midfielder Kyle Dempsey has signed a long-term deal with the Blues' League One rivals Bolton Wanderers.

The 27-year-old from Maryport has extended his stay at the club until June 2026.

Dempsey had a year to run on his existing deal but is now committed to Bolton for longer.

Former Blues youth product Dempsey has become a key player at Bolton and, speaking about his new deal on the club website, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to extend my time here.

“The gaffer [Ian Evatt] spoke to me about how well I’ve done this year and he wanted to reward me for that, so I’m really happy.

“I think I had a frustrating start here, but in the last six months I’ve been able to show the real me and show everyone the player I can be.”

Dempsey - one of three ex-Blues in Bolton's squad along with Gethin Jones and Jack Iredale - is set to come up against his former club in the 2023/24 season when Carlisle visit Bolton's Toughsheet Community Stadium on October 7.

The west Cumbrian player enjoyed success on the pitch last season, including a goalscoring man-of-the-match performance in Bolton's Papa John's Trophy final victory over Plymouth Argyle at Wembley.

But it also proved a chequered year for Dempsey off the field, as he received a 12-month suspended prison sentence for his part in attacking a doorman in his home town of Maryport in July last year.

Both Dempsey and his father Michael were sentenced for causing actual bodily harm following the violent attack.