Former Blackpool midfielder becomes Carlisle United's sixth January signing

The 23-year-old is the latest new face through the door at Brunton Park as head coach Chris Beech continues reshaping his squad.

Guy has signed an 18-month deal and, after finalising the move this evening, could be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Mansfield.

Described as a box-to-box player, Guy - who has made 22 appearances for Blackpool this season - joins fellow new boys Elliot Watt, Max Hunt, Nick Anderton, Joshua Kayode and Lewis Alessandra at Carlisle.

He will be competing with the likes of Watt, Mike Jones, Mo Sagaf, Stefan Scougall and Jack Bridge for a midfield role in Beech's side.

Guy had been on Blackpool's books for a year, after a previous loan spell, having come through the youth ranks at Derby and spent previous time on loan at Port Vale and Bradford.

Beech described the new arrival, who joins in an undisclosed deal, as a "marquee signing".

Guy himself said he was sold on the move after meeting Beech, and also said fellow ex-Blackpool man Anderton put in a good word for United.

He said he was ready for a fresh start with the Blues and had no reservations about dropping a division from League One.

Nottingham-born Guy said: “It’s been a frustrating season for me and it’s something I’ve thought about the whole of January to be honest – that maybe it was time to move on from Blackpool, because it was very on-off on the pitch.

“Being told on Monday that you can leave doesn’t give you a lot of time, but the conversations I had with the gaffer here made it a no-brainer in the end.

“The gaffer is really the one who made me go for it – I just can’t wait to start playing under him.

“When I heard Carlisle were interested, I had a few other conversations and Nick [Anderton] couldn’t speak highly enough of Carlisle – he was another input into me wanting to come here. It will be nice to reunite with him because we got on quite well at Blackpool.”

Guy’s deal includes an option for the Blues to extend it further, as he becomes the latest new recruit to join for an initial 18 months after similar deals for Anderton and Hunt.

The midfielder insists he does not expect to walk straight into the side, especially with United having enjoyed back-to-back league wins, but said he will be ready if selected at Mansfield.

He added: “I see myself as box-to-box, I like to give 100 per cent every game, high energy, love to tackle but also like to get on the ball, try and make something happen and try and get some goals.

“I’ve played a few games this season already, so I won’t be short of match fitness. If needs be [this weekend] I’ll definitely be ready.”

Beech, meanwhile, said on United's website: "This is a marquee signing for us in my opinion.

"We’re getting a lad who learned his trade at a top academy through his schoolboy life with Derby County. He was very highly thought of there and that eventually led to the move to Blackpool.

“He knows Max Hunt from Derby and he also knows Nick Anderton from Blackpool, which is good because that gives him connections and familiar faces at his new club. He has the experience of two loan spells in League One which have helped him to develop as a footballer and a person.

“With the move to Blackpool it means he hasn’t yet played at this level, he’s always been one step up, but he’s more than ready for it.”

Beech feels he has signed Guy at "the right age" and the young midfielder has a "real desire" to succeed.

He added: "He’s part of that strategic recruitment activity we talked about the other day [after the Forest Green victory]. We’ve brought him in for a reason, not just because he happens to be available.

“I know from speaking to him that he wants to improve his goalscoring traits, which I want to work with him on, but in terms of getting the ball back, wanting to compete and wanting to win, he brings all of that to the table.

“It’s brilliant for me and us that he’s committing to the long-term project with us and I’m really thankful that the football club have been able to support me in what it is I’m working towards.

“It’s been good work from us all, from David [Holdsworth, director of football], the board and the club, for us to get this over line.

"For my part of it, I’ve been really old-fashioned in my approach in that I’ve gone the extra mile in meeting players in person.

“By doing that I can make sure they know what I’m after and what I can give them, and I can also outline what it is the project here is all about."

United remain in pursuit of further potential signings, with attack remaining an area they would like to strengthen before tomorrow's 11pm transfer deadline.

They are also continuing efforts to offload certain out-of-favour players.