Former Carlisle United keeper Holy weighing up options back home

Released Carlisle United goalkeeper Tomas Holy could be set to return to his Czech homeland for his next move.

The former Blues No1 is weighing up his options after departing Brunton Park this summer.

Holy, who starred in 2022/23’s United promotion campaign before losing his place twice in the side last season, has reportedly been approached by a number of clubs.

The signs are he will play in the Czech Republic next, although clubs in other countries are also considering the giant keeper.

According to a report by inFotbal.cz, Czech clubs including FK Dukla Prague, Mlada Boleslav, Liberec and Hradec Kralove are keeping tabs on the 32-year-old.

The article quotes the former United gloveman as saying: “However, the Czech Republic is not the only option for me – for example, clubs from Cyprus or Poland have contacted me.

"Yes, I think it's time to return home after all these years, but I don't want to comment on specific negotiations yet, it's too soon.”

Tomas Holy saves Ryan Rydel's penalty at Wembley to help United to promotion in 2023 (Image: Richard Parkes)

Holy was let go by Paul Simpson at the end of last season after a disappointing second campaign with the Blues.

That came after an ever-present 2022/23 campaign when the Czech capped his first season in Cumbria by breaking a club clean sheet record.

He also saved a crucial penalty in the Wembley shoot-out as United defeated Stockport County to win promotion through the play-offs.

But things were not so successful for the popular No1 in 2023/24’s League One campaign, where he lost his place in the autumn to loanee Jokull Andressen and then, after regaining his spot, was again dropped for Gabe Breeze after a number of costly errors.

United duly moved for Bradford City’s Harry Lewis in January, relegating Holy to third-choice. Lewis has now taken the No1 shirt at Brunton Park ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

In total Holy made 73 appearances for the Blues.