Carlisle United have today completed the signing of Republic of Ireland striker Sean Maguire.

He has signed a one-year deal with the Blues.

Maguire was a free agent after leaving Coventry City at the end of last season.

The 29-year-old will provide much-needed reinforcements in the centre-forward department at Brunton Park.

Former Preston North End man Maguire becomes Paul Simpson’s eighth summer signing, with the deal confirmed ahead of the Blues’ final pre-season friendly against Dundee United at Brunton Park today.

It has not been confirmed whether Maguire, who was strongly linked with the Blues in reports last night, could feature in the game.

Maguire, who has 11 full international caps, began at Waterford United before a spell with West Ham United.

News and Star: Sean Maguire scoring for the Republic of Ireland against New Zealand in 2019Sean Maguire scoring for the Republic of Ireland against New Zealand in 2019 (Image: PA)

After loan moves to Sligo Rovers and Accrington Stanley, he returned to Ireland with Cork City, where his impressive goalscoring earned him a move back to England.

That saw Maguire spend five-and-a-half years at Preston, during which he scored 24 goals in 180 appearances.

He joined Coventry in January this year and made seven appearances for the Sky Blues without scoring.

The frontman now drops to League One with Carlisle to join Ryan Edmondson and Joe Garner in the striker ranks, with his move coming a week before the start of the 2023/24 campaign.