Aston Villa striker Brad Young is the latest loan signing to join Carlisle United since Chris Beech’s arrival at the club.
The 18-year-old signed a season-long deal with the Blues yesterday - and could be in the squad to face Port Vale tonight.
Young is the eighth different loan player to be welcomed to Brunton Park during Beech’s 22-month tenure.
United’s temporary arrivals in the head coach’s reign so far have tended to fit a similar profile – promising young players from Premier League or Championship clubs who are seeking first-team experience.
The average age of Beech’s loan additions is 19.1.
Here’s a look at how Young’s loan predecessors fared.
ELLIOT WATT
The then Wolves prospect was Beech’s first signing, unveiled on January 1 2020 just over a month after the head coach’s appointment as Steven Pressley’s successor.
Watt, 19, made his Blues debut three days later in their 2-2 FA Cup third round draw at Cardiff.
That was the first of 14 appearances in the Cumbrians’ midfield, including his Football League debut.
Preston-born Watt made a good impression with the Blues, also claiming one goal for the Cumbrians, when his cross drifted in against Mansfield to spark a two-goal fightback that February.
After his half-season loan with United, he joined Bradford permanently and has become a key part of the Bantams’ midfield.
JOSHUA KAYODE
The Beech loanee who’s seen the most action, Kayode first joined from Rotherham in January 2020.
After a substitute debut at Oldham - his first EFL appearance - the striker scored on his first start in United’s 4-1 win at Forest Green.
That was one of three goals in five appearances in a half-season loan interrupted by injury in a campaign curtailed by Covid.
United then went back for Kayode last summer and he was a regular part of the side that topped the table in January before falling away.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international made 36 appearances in 2020/21, scoring eight goals, before returning to his parent club, for whom he’s made two starts so far this season.
MARCUS DEWHURST
Another loanee who’s had two stints with United.
Dewhurst first joined at 18 from Sheffield United in January 2020.
The goalkeeper did not make a first-team appearance in his first half-season loan, but may have done had Covid not cut the season short.
He understudied Adam Collin that campaign, before rejoining last summer to compete with Paul Farman and Magnus Norman.
Dewhurst finally got a Blues debut in the FA Cup at Hayes & Yeading, conceding twice before producing crucial penalty saves in United’s shoot-out win.
Another outing came against Aston Villa Under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy but chances otherwise eluded Dewhurst, who returned to the Blades in January, going on to perform for their Under-23 side for the rest of the season.
ETHAN WALKER
A promising Preston attacker who did not enjoy the best of fortunes in a blue shirt.
Walker was brought in on the eve of the 2020/21 season as cover for the injured Brennan Dickenson.
The 18-year-old made some bright cameo performances before a shoulder injury at Sunderland in the Trophy curtailed his spell.
Upon recovering, Carlisle brought him back to Brunton Park in the new year but pitch time was then sparing for Walker.
Overall his loan campaign with United amounted to 11 sub outings and one start. He featured for North End in this pre-season but has not yet been involved in 2021/22.
CONNOR MALLEY
A loanee who never really got going at Carlisle.
The attacking midfielder from Middlesbrough joined late in last year’s delayed summer window.
The 20-year-old made three sub appearances in the league (including an EFL debut at Port Vale) and two starts in the Papa John’s Trophy, the latter of which against Aston Villa’s Under-21s saw Malley suffer an injury which ruled him out for several weeks.
That proved his last United appearance, Malley returning to Boro in January and getting three first-team outings – including a man-of-the-match showing against Rotherham in the Championship.
He got his first start for Boro in their recent Carabao Cup defeat at Blackpool.
MICAH OBIERO
The Huddersfield Town attacker joined Carlisle in mid-October last season in a deal running until January, with the Blues saying the teenager would give their first-team ranks extra depth in a busy run of games.
It proved a bit-part loan for the 19-year-old in terms of first-team action, since Obiero was limited to one start in the Trophy and five other sub outings in the league and FA Cup, including an EFL debut against Morecambe.
Obiero scored on his solitary start, in a 3-1 win against Villa’s Under-21s. Other than an extended outing in the FA Cup tie at Hayes & Yeading, which went to extra-time, his other Blues appearances were brief before returning to Yorkshire in January.
Obiero then ended the 2020/21 season on loan with FC Halifax Town in the National League, and has featured for Huddersfield B in pre-season.
LUKAS JENSEN
Until Brad Young, Burnley’s Jensen was Beech’s most recent loan signing.
The big Danish keeper, 22, joined the Cumbrians last month to provide competition for Magnus Norman.
Jensen featured in pre-season friendlies before being handed his chance at Sheffield United in the 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat - his first senior appearance in first-team English football.
The Premier League loanee has been on the bench for United’s league games so far as he looks to push Norman for the first-choice position.
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