Carlisle United have today sealed the signing of Bradford City goalkeeper Harry Lewis.

The 26-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Brunton Park.

Lewis had been heavily linked with the Blues in the last 24 hours and has now completed his transfer from the League Two club.

Carlisle have paid an undisclosed fee to bring in the former Southampton man on a deal until the summer of 2026.

Lewis, who could make his debut against Oxford United on Saturday, is the fourth new face to join Carlisle in the January transfer window.

Manager Paul Simpson has long been keen to bring in a new No1 after Tomas Holy's loss of form saw him dropped in favour of promising young Cumbrian Gabe Breeze.

The 20-year-old has impressed in his four first-team games but Simpson was eager to sign a more established keeper.

Carlisle, who have another keeper on the books in loanee Jokull Andresson, who is close to returning from injury, had looked at a number of options in recent months.

But Lewis emerged as their main target and is now a United player, following previous January recruits Luke Armstrong, Harrison Neal and Seán Grehan through the door.

While the fee is undisclosed it's understood it will be another six-figure outlay from the Cumbrians, following the record deal agreed for Harrogate Town striker Armstrong.

It comes as the club's owners, the Piatak family, back Simpson in the market as Carlisle aim to bolster their second-bottom squad in their push for League One survival.

Simpson, speaking about the move on the club website, said today: "We're delighted to have got this over the line. 

"Harry is a player we looked at before he made the move to Bradford but we weren't able to make it happen at that time. 

"He had a good loan spell up in Scotland [with Dundee United in 2017/18] and has played over 100 first team games, so he'll be a good addition to our squad." 

Lewis was an ever-present in the league for Bradford last season, including their play-off semi-final games against Carlisle, and has made 31 appearances so far this season.

Bradford chief executive Ryan Sparks, speaking on the Bantams website, said: “Harry had an opportunity to move to a League One club in the summer, though we rejected the offer.

"On this occasion, we have received an acceptable bid, and Harry wished to take up the opportunity in a higher division.

“He has been a top professional during his time at the club, building great relationships with everyone he has come across. I am proud of the way in which he took his opportunity here, playing such a key role for us over the past 18 months.”

Lewis himself added: “This was an opportunity that came up which I felt I could not turn down from mine and my family’s point of view."

Bradford have moved to replace Lewis by signing experienced former Charlton Athletic and Colchester United keeper Sam Walker.