Carlisle United have today swooped to bring striker Charlie Wyke back to Brunton Park.

The frontman has signed a two-year deal for a second spell with the Blues.

Wyke, previously with Wigan Athletic, becomes the Cumbrians' sixth summer signing.

And United will hope the arrival of the forward further marks a statement of intent ahead of the 2024/25 League Two campaign.

Wyke was previously with United from 2015 to 2017 before spells at Bradford City, Sunderland and Wigan.

He had been linked with a return to Bradford this summer but the 31-year-old has now committed to the Blues until the summer of 2026.

"As you can imagine, I'm absolutely delighted to get Charlie back into the club," said manager Paul Simpson, speaking on United's website. 

"It's something that has been talked about for a while. We tried to get him to come to us in January but he wanted to stay at the highest level he could and ended up going to the Championship [with Rotherham United].

Wyke, second right, was a prolific goalscorer at United in his first spell from 2015 to 2017Wyke, second right, was a prolific goalscorer at United in his first spell from 2015 to 2017 (Image: Barbara Abbott)

"We've been talking on and off during summer, but like all players, Charlie wanted to wait and see what other offers he got.

"It was clear there were other clubs at a higher level who were keen but he is excited to come back and help take us forward again. We're delighted to have him in with us. 

"Everyone can see from his record that he is a proven goalscorer and we're all really looking forward to working with him."

Wyke follows Aaron Hayden, Jude Smith, Cameron Harper, Terell Thomas and Ethan Robson through the door at Brunton Park this summer.

His impressive first spell at Carlisle began in 2015 after he joined from Middlesbrough during Keith Curle's tenure.

Over two campaigns he hit 39 goals in 89 appearances and in 2017 Bradford triggered a £250,000 clause in his contract to take the forward to Valley Parade.

After a prolific season-and-a-half in west Yorkshire, Wyke moved on to Sunderland and spent three years with the Black Cats, then moving to Wigan in 2021.

Whilst with the Latics, Wyke suffered a cardiac arrest in training in November 2021, and his life was saved by the quick work of his manager and club doctor.

After recovering, he returned to action the following August. He spent the closing months of last season at Rotherham, before being released by Wigan at the end of 2023/24.