Former Carlisle United star Jamie Devitt has returned to Cumbria - by signing for Barrow.

The midfielder has joined the Bluebirds on an 18-month deal.

Devitt has left League One outfit Blackpool in order to make a permanent switch to Holker Street.

The 30-year-old had been on loan with Newport but now joins Barrow's survival fight under Michael Jolley.

Devitt had been tipped in the summer for a return to Carlisle, for whom he made 130 appearances and scored 22 goals in three campaigns from 2016-19.

But a move to Brunton Park did not materialise and Devitt headed to south Wales.

He made 11 appearances for Newport but just one start in the league.

His outings for the Exiles included a consolation goal in Newport's 3-2 defeat at Carlisle in November.

He scored one other goal for Mike Flynn's side, against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

Barrow have made four signings in the space of 24 hours with Dan Bramall, Tom Davies and Ollie Clark all joining yesterday.

The Bluebirds are 20th in League Two, and Devitt could come up against his former club when United visit the Progression Solicitors Stadium on April 10.

His debut could come against Grimsby next Tuesday

Devitt did not make an appearance for Blackpool after joining the Tangerines in 2019 following his departure from Carlisle.

He went on loan to Bradford before a hamstring injury curtailed his 2019/20 campaign.

His move to Barrow sees Devitt reunited with former Blues team-mate Mike Jones.

Speaking on Barrow's website, he said: "I’ve been in with the lads today and it seems a very good bunch. The standard in training was very good.

"I spoke to Michael Jolley a couple of seasons ago [at Grimsby] and what I heard from him then was very good, but at the time I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to go to Blackpool [from Carlisle], but I didn’t foresee the circumstances happening with the manager there leaving five days after I signed…

"To make it permanent shows I want to settle down again now and enjoy my time at the club. Everybody’s priority this year is to stay in the league and I think we have more than enough to do that, and then we can just kick on again next year and see if we can challenge at the right end of the table.

"I can see the vision the manager has over where he wants to take the club over the next 18 months."

Asked about his time at Carlisle, Devitt replied: "I’m a Barrow player now and looking forward to playing for Barrow. That was in the past and you just concentrate on what’s now."