Carlisle United have handed a deal to trialist midfielder Mo Sagaf.

The Somalia-born player has been given a one-year contract after impressing manager Steven Pressley.

Sagaf featured in friendlies against Tranmere and Ross County and is now a permanent United player ahead of the big League Two kick-off today.

The former Ipswich academy player, 21, was recently with non-league Braintree.

Pressley said today: “He’s the final piece of the midfield jigsaw and he falls into the category we’ve been looking at.

"We've been looking at young, hungry players to complement the experience we already have. For his size, he’s a really tough kid and he’s a good football player.

"He brings something different to what we’ve already got, so we’re really pleased.

"From what I’ve seen in training and in the games he’s played so far, he really does have the potential. Now it's up to him.”

Sagaf's deal, which includes a club option to extend it, was not signed in time for him to be eligible to face Crawley today. He will aim to be involved for Carlisle's second game of the season at Swindon next weekend.

Sagaf's signing means Pressley is now seeking one more addition to his ranks for the 2019/20 season.

That is likely to be another loan striker, with United hoping for a deal next week.