Quite the summer looks to be in store for Carlisle United’s latest signing Christie Elliott.

After eight years at Partick Thistle, the South Shields-born man is set to end his Scottish stint and link up with the Cumbrians ahead of the start of the 2019/20 season.

But, before then, the 27-year-old has the small matter of his wedding to prepare for before his attention switches back to footballing matters once more.

“Aye, it’s a massive year for myself with the marriage, as well," Elliott admits.

"But being out of contract was always in the back of my mind. I wanted to get it [a new deal] sorted and, from when I came here, I was eager to sign here and, luckily enough, I will get to play here now.

"I have my wedding and everything but, then, I will come back and I will be ready to get going again from day one."

“I think that was always in the back of my mind," adds Elliott when asked how important making a quick decision on his future was.

"My missus was stressing me out by saying 'If we go on holiday, you better not be on the phone every day'.

"But in football, it’s a hard process because there are that many players out of contract now. I was lucky enough to come down early doors, get the deal sorted and I’m delighted that it’s happened.

"Now, I’m buzzing to get going."

Despite signing for United, on an initial one-year deal subject to clearance of all paperwork, from the Jags, versatile right-back Elliott’s career actually began in England - and as a striker, too.

He explains: "I played for England schoolboys when I was 16.

"I went on to play semi-professional football [with Jarrow and Whitley Bay]. I then got a trial at Partick when I was 19.

"Jackie McNamara signed me as the manager and, from there, I have signed new contracts there throughout.

"My first two seasons, we were in the Championship in Scotland and we won the league in the second year. Then, I had five years in the Premiership and the last year in the Championship.

"It’s been a good time, each year has got better and better, but I felt at this stage of my career, that I just wanted a new challenge. Hopefully, I do well with this club."

Elliott believes he has learned a lot from playing in the top two leagues North of the border.

“It’s been brilliant. The standard is really good there," he enthuses.

"The teams you play, like Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen and Hearts, they are all big clubs. So, all games are really hard in that league.

"One year, we finished in the top six which was a brilliant year, but five years in the Premiership was a good experience that I will always remember. A lot of people who come up to Scotland don’t realise how good the standard actually is.

"I have been quite fortunate, it’s a brilliant little club and, hopefully, they go on to do well and get back where they belong."

Elliott also enjoyed a loan stint at Albion Rovers.

“I was young, still kind of learning a lot about first-team football,” he reflects. “It was a good experience, but I was only there for a short period of time, but I learnt a lot.

"It was a different division, but I came back a different player and I’ll always remember how they developed me and I learnt from that experience."

Among Elliott’s former team-mates while he has been plying his trade at Thistle’s Firhill Stadium have been former Carlisle players David Amoo and Prince Buaben.

“They were both brilliant lads," he says.

"David is really good on his day and he has done really well wherever he has gone. Hopefully, he continues to do well.

"And Prince, he has had a good career. He went back to Hearts [after a loan spell with Partick] and I think they both got a shock with how good the standard was in Scotland."

Elliott is the second Scottish-based player to join United this summer, following in the footsteps of Greenock-born Australian defender Jack Iredale, having been signed by Blues boss Steven Pressley, a former Scotland defender.

“He seems massively ambitious," Elliott says when asked about his new manager.

“I want to be kept on my toes every day, be hungry and I think that’s what he does. Even when I left here, I was buzzing to hear more about it [Pressley’s plans], even though I’d only come for a tour.

"Just from everything he had to say, that was brilliant – just his enthusiasm about the club and what he wants to do makes me think it’s going to be a successful club."

Promotion also seems to be the Blues’ aim next season once more.

“I have kind of seen, from the club’s perspective, how well they have been doing. Hopefully, we can build a squad this year," Elliott admits.

"That’s the aim this year, to get to the play-offs or even get promotion straight away."

Elliott also enjoyed a period as Partick captain, but he still reckons there is plenty for him to prove.

He concedes: “I think football is always like that. You always have something to prove.

"You are only as good as your last game. It’s a massive opportunity now to show how good I really am.

“It’s a totally different league and a totally different set-up, but I’m looking forward to the change and I really hope I do well.”

Having initially began his career up front, Elliott says he has played in multiple positions throughout his career. But he says he feels settled in defence and will hope to make the United right-back slot his own next term.

On his strengths, he says: “I’d say probably going forward with the ball, I’m good going forward and a good option. I’d say I have a good engine, I’m kind of up and down the pitch a lot.

“There is a few things I can bring, a few things I can develop, but that’s football for everyone.

"I’m looking forward to getting going here and, hopefully, doing well for the club."

He adds: “In the past, I have played more or less every position, apart from goalkeeper. But I’ve noticed where I’m best at which is right-back.

"Hopefully, with a good season in that position, I will show how good I am and, hopefully as a team, we do well and get that promotion.”