Striker Gavin Reilly is Carlisle United's third summer signing.

The Gretna-born player has joined the Blues on a one-year deal after his release from League One outfit Bristol Rovers.

Reilly, 27, was available after two years at the Memorial Stadium, with the frontman having had a loan spell with Cheltenham last season.

He has been training with Chris Beech's squad and his move was confirmed today.

The move marks a return to Brunton Park for a player who was on the Cumbrians' youth books more than a decade ago.

Reilly was in the same under-18 squad as players like Mark Gillespie, Andy Cook, Ryan Bowman and Tom Aldred during Eric Kinder’s first spell as youth boss.

After being released by the Blues, Reilly joined Queen of the South where he impressed over a five-year period with 43 goals in 133 appearances.

That earned him a move from the Dumfries outfit to Hearts, which saw Reilly grab four goals in 32 outings for the Edinburgh outfit.

After a loan spell at Dunfermline, he switched to St Mirren in 2017, going on to score an impressive 22 goals in 44 games.

That was followed by a move south of the border to Bristol Rovers in 2018, Reilly claiming four goals in 39 outings for the Pirates, and then four in 22 loan appearances for Cheltenham last season, including one against Carlisle in the Robins’ 2-0 victory in August.

He was released by Rovers after the end of the curtailed League One season. His deal with the Blues includes an option that could enable United to extend it.

Head coach Beech said he had tried to sign Reilly in January.

The United boss said on the club's website: "He was keen to come here, and we were keen to take him, but Bristol Rovers changed their manager and Gavin ended up coming onto the pitch from the bench, which meant that he'd played for two clubs in one season [Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham]. FA rules meant he couldn't play for anyone else during that season.

“I'm obviously delighted we've managed to make it work this time around and, importantly, he's our player rather than being here on a loan basis.”

He added: “Gavin is a great age for a forward player. He has excellent movement and above all else is a natural and instinctive finisher.

“I've seen him score goals I didn't think he'd put away, and his goals-per-game ratio for the modern day game is impressive.

“Gavin was really keen to come to Brunton Park. He's kept in regular contact during the summer and even committed to moving to the area.

"He’s been very successful north of the border, and I know he has no doubts at all that he can score goals in the EFL for Carlisle. I think this one is a great fit.”

Reilly follows Monday's signings George Tanner and Rod McDonald into Brunton Park, with more new faces set to be confirmed soon.