Simmo: Carlisle United signing could have cost us £200k

Paul Simpson says Carlisle United new boy Cameron Harper could easily have set the Blues back £200,000.

The left-sided defender joined the Cumbrians on a free this summer from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

United manager Simpson admitted the Blues have benefited from the financial problems currently facing Caley.

They made 22-year-old Harper their third summer signing earlier this month, with Caley describing the deal as “an undisclosed transfer agreement”.

Simpson is delighted with the arrival of the player on a three-year deal and without the kind of financial outlay Carlisle could otherwise have faced.

“He’s a young player who we've managed to take on a free transfer because of the situation with Inverness,” said Simpson.

“There are issues going on [there], so we've got him on a free, whereas he could have cost us a couple of hundred thousand at least in compensation.

“I think he'll be a good signing. He’s got a real good quality left foot.

“He has [good] set play delivery too, so he's a good addition to the squad.”

Harper came through the ranks at Caley Thistle but has now crossed the border with United (Image: PA)

Harper and his team-mates are continuing their latest day of pre-season training today, a week before United’s first friendly at Penrith.

Simpson, whilst eager to bolster his attack, wants to add one more defensive signing after bringing in Harper, Aaron Hayden and Terell Thomas.

A right-sided defender, for the full-back or wing-back position, is a priority.

Simpson, meanwhile, believes centre-backs Hayden and Thomas will add leadership qualities to the squad.

“Anybody who's supported Carlisle for a good few years will know about Aaron,” said Simpson, speaking at this week’s fixtures breakfast at Brunton Park.

“He's a big, strong defender. He's a leader. He's talked to me about wanting to be a captain-type character – the same as Terrell.

“He [Thomas] is the captain of St Lucia's national team. He's just come back from playing some World Cup qualifiers over in Barbados where he was captain for the two games.

“So he's a leader. I think we needed leaders. It was something that was really lacking in our group last season.”