Carlisle United have completed the eyecatching signing of former Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest star Zach Clough.

The attacker has signed a two-year deal to become the Blues’ second close-season recruit.

Former £3m man Clough was a free agent after being released by Wigan Athletic at the end of last season.

He has now opted to join the Cumbrians where he is reunited with Chris Beech – having worked under the United boss during a previous loan spell at Rochdale.

The 26-year-old, who can play along the front line or in attacking midfield, is seeking a fresh start in a career which saw a spectacular start at Bolton before a more challenging spell at Forest.

Clough burst onto the scene as a teenager with the Trotters, scoring 22 goals in his first three first-team seasons in the Championship and League One.

That saw the sought-after young player, who had come through the youth ranks at Bolton, become a target for a number of clubs before making a big-money switch to the City Ground in 2017.

Clough scored four goals in 31 appearances before falling out of favour and making a loan switch in 2018 back to Bolton, before another loan to Rochdale, where Beech was No2 to Keith Hill.

After an injury-hit spell at Spotland, Clough joined Wigan on a permanent deal in January and made 13 appearances, scoring once, as the Latics dramatically held onto their League One status.

News and Star: Clough pictured in action for Bolton against Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in 2015 (photo: PA)Clough pictured in action for Bolton against Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in 2015 (photo: PA)

He was then let go by Wigan, with Clough saying he had no qualms about dropping into League Two with United.

The new Blues man said he is keen to kickstart his career under Beech and help Carlisle to success in the 2021/22 season.

“It’s just about playing football for me,” he said. “I don’t think the level matters too much.

“I’m just ready to take on the challenge here at Carlisle.

“The fact I’ve worked with the manager before was a big factor for me. I think he will get the best out of me.”

Clough becomes United’s second summer signing after the earlier arrival of striker Tristan Abrahams, with the Cumbrians hoping to make further transfer inroads soon.

Beech said of the Clough signing on the Blues' website: “I’m really pleased with this one. We’ve worked very hard behind the scenes over the last few days speaking to Zach about what we want to achieve as a football club and what we want for him to achieve as a player.

“I’ve worked with him before, so I’m well aware of his capabilities, and he knows mine. There’s no doubt that on his day he’s a player that makes you sit up and take notice.

“He’s put his trust in me as much as I have in him.

“For Zach it’s about enjoying his football, playing with a smile, giving him back the enthusiasm he had a few years ago, and giving him the ‘freedom within framework’ that I encourage within our group.

“He’s at a great age now and comes to us with a tremendous pedigree. He has the ability to score different types of goals, but he can also drop in and get the ball and make things happen between the lines. Above all else he’s coming to Carlisle for the right reasons.

“I’m excited for our supporters with this signing. I think all fans want a player they can buy into, look forward to coming to see play and, if they get behind Zach, I can guarantee that he will respond to that and deliver for them on the pitch. He’s that kind of player.

“I think Carlisle and Cumbria is a case of right place, right time for Zach. Let’s get behind him from the get-go and show him what we’re all about.”