Former Preston defender Jack Armer has today been confirmed as Carlisle United's sixth summer signing.

The 19-year-old has been training with the Cumbrians and has now completed a move on a one-year deal with an option.

Armer, a Scotland under-19 international, is the latest new face into Brunton Park amid a flurry of signings by head coach Chris Beech.

The young defender was released by Preston at the end of last season with manager Alex Neil admitting the Covid-19 situation had influenced his decision to let a number of their younger pros go.

Armer, from Lostock Hall near Preston, came through the youth ranks at North End where he played at both centre-half and left-back for their age group sides after joining the club aged nine.

He often trained with the first team and was occasionally part of their matchday squad without making a senior appearance.

He spent part of last season on loan with Lancaster City while he was called up to the Scotland Under-19 squad in February, having also played for the country’s Under-18s and Under-17s.

Beech said he regarded Armer as "a work in progress".

He said on United's website: “I was aware of him at Preston and we had a little look at him in January, not long after I'd come here. At the time we were at full capacity for loans, and Preston were only interested in loaning him out.

“He’d been out at Lancaster, playing men's football, and he did incredibly well. So much so that he was recalled by Alex Neil and added to their first team, making the bench.

“Fast forward a couple of months and the pandemic hits. Jack, along with all out-of-contract young players, suffered as a consequence from that when he possibly shouldn't have done, and he then found himself without a deal and available.”

“I know first-hand how highly-rated he was by the staff at Preston, including Alex Neil. Perhaps one day Jack will go on to be one of those that they feel they should have kept, which they'd say with their best wishes, but I'm delighted he's with us.

“Jack's a good size and he absolutely loves to tackle and compete for the ball. He’s left-footed, and good left-footed players are always a commodity.

“He’s played most of his career as a left-sided centre half or left back, he's mobile so he can get around the pitch, and he's a fit lad who enjoys running, so I also think he's got the potential to push on up the pitch, if it fits.

“He’s another that's absolutely committed to his career, responding to the setback of not having another contract at Preston with that burning determination to prove himself and progress.

“He’s done huge amounts of training off his own back before we restarted, and I can't wait to get working with him on the training pitch and help to improve what is already very good.”

Deepdale boss Neil, at the time he released Armer, said: “Had Covid not come along, I would imagine that at the moment we would have been in the process of getting a loan system in place for the younger lads in order to get as much game time as possible.

“Next season clubs where lads might have gone to play football aren’t going to be spending money and they will have smaller squads.”

Armer is also known as a talented cricketer, having once been on Lancashire’s books and represented Penwortham.