Young players Sam Adewusi, Max Brown, Kieron Olsen and Jack Egan have all left Carlisle "by mutual consent", the club have confirmed today.

The Blues say it is a "club decision" that will help the four find new clubs as early as possible.

United admitted the home-grown quartet were not part of their long-term plans.

But the club said they will honour the remainder of their contracts, which run to the end of this season.

Striker Brown and versatile defender/midfielder Olsen have spent time on loan at Kendal recently.

They and fellow 19-year-old Adewusi were all given professional deals by the club last summer.

Midfielder Egan, 20, came through the youth ranks the previous year, and is in his second professional year.

Midfielder Adewusi made two senior appearances this season from the bench with Egan and Brown getting one outing each.

Speaking on United's website, boss Steven Pressley said: "It was a club decision and we've made sure that we've honoured the remainder of the contracts that these young players have in full.

"That gives these lads security for the remainder of the season and it will allow them to look for what they want to do elsewhere.

"We felt that their future wasn't going to be here at Carlisle United, and once you get to the summer it becomes a very difficult market.

"At this moment in time there are far fewer players available and we felt it would help them to get their names out there and give them a better chance of securing a new club.

"It goes without saying that we wish these very professional and likeable young men all the very best as they move on to their next chapter."