Carlisle United have added young Leicester City frontman Ryan Loft to their strikeforce ahead of the new campaign.

The 21-year-old has joined from the Premier League club on a season-long loan.

Loft is likely to go straight into the squad for tomorrow's League Two opener against Crawley.

The 6ft 3in former Tottenham man was at Brunton Park today to finalise his move and train with Steven Pressley's squad for the first time.

Pressley had revealed at a fans' forum last night that a new striker was imminent, and Loft has now completed his switch to Cumbria.

United's boss said the tall striker would give something different to Carlisle's attacking options.

Speaking on the club website, Pressley said: “We wanted to have a different type of striker available, so we could change things for certain games and play in certain ways. It was important we had that variety, and Ryan gives us that.

“He’s a big physical striker at nearly 6ft 4in, but people shouldn’t be fooled by that because he’s also exceptionally mobile and quick.

"I think we’re getting him at a very good age, because I think strikers like him are late developers. Strikers who rely a little bit more on their physicality tend to develop a little later, and we think Ryan is one of those.

“He fits the profile we’ve been looking for and we’re excited to get him in. We said when Canice [Carroll] arrived that we were looking for a different type of midfielder, and it’s the same with the strikers."

Loft has been with Leicester since 2018 and has been a regular in the Foxes' under-23 side.

He scored three goals in Leicester's three Checkatrade Trophy games last term.

The centre-forward was previously with Spurs' academy since 2013, having had loan spells with Braintree, Stevenage and Exeter since then.

Loft is the fourth loan player to join Carlisle after Nathan Thomas, Olufela Olomola and Canice Carroll.

United's boss is hoping to bring in another attacking loanee next week, and also wants to sign a midfielder on a permanent deal.

Carlisle have not commented on whether Loft's deal includes a January recall clause but it is understood that one is in place.