CARLISLE United have announced the signing of striker Joe Hugill on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old forward becomes the Blues ninth signing of the January transfer window.

Manchester United signed Hugill from Sunderland's academy in 2020 and he was part of the Premier League side's FA Youth Cup-winning squad in 2022 which also included now first-team players Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Before making the temporary move to Brunton Park, Hugill had loan spells at Altrincham and Burton Albion, and most recently a spell at Wigan Athletic where he scored five goals in 18 appearances.

Hugill also scored for his parent club in a 2-0 pre-season win over Rangers in Edinburgh in July 2024.

Speaking on the club's website, Mike Williamson discussed the decision to recruit the young striker.

He said: "We are delighted to have been able to bring Joe in. He’s somebody who we have been pursuing for a while. 

"He gives us pace and power, and he’ll bring another dimension to our play. He’s got goals in him, so we’re delighted he’s chosen to come to us."

Carlisle United's sporting director Rob Clarkson added: “We are delighted that Joe has chosen to join us for the remainder of the season.

"He is a goalscorer who adds real pace to our centre forward options.

"There was a lot of interest in Joe so we are very pleased he has chosen us as the right club for him at this stage in his career.

"We have been in contact with Manchester United for some time now and we thank them for their cooperation and allowing us to get this loan deal agreed."