Carlisle United star Jack Armer has signed a new long-term deal with the Blues.

The ever-present defender has committed to the club until the summer of 2026.

It is a reward for a superb season so far for the former Preston North End man, who has shone at left wing-back for Paul Simpson's League Two promotion-chasers.

Armer, 21, is United's only outfield ever-present in the league this season and, in nearly three years at Brunton Park, has already clocked up 115 appearances.

His outing at Swindon Town last weekend, when he scored an impressive opening goal, was his 100th league apprarance for the Cumbrians.

Armer, who joined under Chris Beech in the summer of 2020, has matured into one of Carlisle's top young assets during Simpson's dramatic turnaround of the Blues.

Simpson, speaking on the club website, said today: "We were originally talking about a two-year contract with him then I realised he’s still so young that he could go on a Bosman at the end of that period.

“I didn’t want us to do all of that work then he’s able to walk away for nothing. We’ve managed to agree a three-year deal with him, and I’m absolutely delighted."

Simpson also hinted at further deals in the squad, after Armer followed fellow defender Paul Huntington in committing his future to the Brunton Park club.

He said: “We’ve been speaking with a number of players. We’ve got quite a few lads we have club options on, which means we know we can keep them come the end of the season, so we don’t need to rush and do anything about those ones.

“There were some that I wanted to get sorted out, and there are others who want to wait until the end of the season, which I totally respect. We’ll keep working and trying to go about it quietly.

“I didn’t want a big group of players all talking about new contracts and getting distracted, so I’ve tasked Greg [Abbott, head of recruitment] to speak to their agents before I get involved right at the end.

“Thankfully we’ve got this one done, with a possibility of another later today and, who knows, there might be more to follow.”