Carlisle United have completed the eye-catching signing of former Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest star Zach Clough.

The attacker has signed a two-year deal to become the Blues’ second close-season recruit.

Former £3m man Clough was a free agent after being released by Wigan Athletic at the end of last season.

He has now opted to join the Cumbrians where he is reunited with Chris Beech – having worked under the United boss during a previous loan spell at Rochdale.

The 26-year-old, who can play along the front line or in attacking midfield, is seeking a fresh start in a career which saw a spectacular start at Bolton before a more challenging spell at Forest.

Clough burst onto the scene as a teenager with the Trotters, scoring 22 goals in his first three first-team seasons in the Championship and League One.

That saw the sought-after young player, who had come through the youth ranks at Bolton, become a target for a number of clubs before making a big-money switch to the City Ground in 2017.

Clough scored four goals in 31 appearances before falling out of favour and making a loan switch in 2018 back to Bolton, before another loan to Rochdale, where Beech was No2 to Keith Hill.

Clough joined Wigan on a permanent deal in January and made 13 appearances, scoring once, as the Latics dramatically held onto their League One status.

Reader, Johnathan Edwards said: "Great signing."

Carl Devine said: "Hopefully it's a start of a good career with the team."

"About time!" Gareth Hope said.