Former Carlisle United forward Harry McKirdy could face the Blues next month after completing a move to Port Vale.

McKirdy has signed a one-year deal with United's League Two rivals having been training with them recently.

It will bring McKirdy - who was released by Carlisle after an eventful campaign in Cumbria - into opposition with his former club.

The Blues visit Vale Park on October 10, with the Valiants coming to Brunton Park for the return game on April 17.

Port Vale chief executive Colin Garlick said he was surprised a player of McKirdy's quality had not already been snapped up.

He said on the Vale website: “I think it’s a great signing – it’s surprising we’re so close to the season and Harry is still available.

"He’s been training here a couple of weeks and looks like a really exciting prospect; this is a young man who knows where the goal is.

“He’s certainly young and enthusiastic and just speaking to him, he’s absolutely raring to go."

The 23-year-old former Stoke youth player scored 11 goals in 38 appearances for the Cumbrians last season, making him the Cumbrians' top scorer in 2019/20.

But his time with the Blues also had its frustrations, as the relationship between McKirdy and some United fans soured.

Upon releasing him, boss Chris Beech said ex-Aston Villa player McKirdy no longer wanted to be at the club.

“Harry wasn’t happy. He lives in Harry’s world. Harry needs to find a place where he is happy for those skill sets to be more consistent," Beech said.

McKirdy joins a number of fellow former Carlisle players at Vale in Luke Joyce, David Amoo, Mark Cullen and Shaun Brisley.

He said of his time at United: "It was a mixed season for the group as a whole...but I got 18 goals and assists combined, so personally it was a good season."

He said Port Vale were a club "going in the right direction".