Carlisle United forward Hallam Hope has joined League Two leaders Swindon, it has now been confirmed.

The 25-year-old has completed a move to the County Ground for an "undisclosed fee".

Hope finalised his switch to the Wiltshire club after training with their squad this afternoon, and joins a side aiming for promotion to the third tier.

He has signed an 18-month deal, having been tracked by Robins boss Richie Wellens since the summer.

United will now be expected to move to replace last season's top scorer and are understood to be hoping to bring in a new forward before Saturday's visit of Walsall.

Hope was last night the subject of speculation linking him with Swindon, with the News & Star reporting this morning that a move was getting closer.

He scored three goals in 30 Carlisle appearances this season after a summer when he was strongly linked with a move away.

United turned down bids for the Barbados international at that stage, after Hope had expressed a willingness to leave should a suitable offer come in from a club where he felt he could further his career.

The frontman scored 31 goals in 123 appearances after joining the Cumbrians from Bury in 2017.

He previously netted five goals in a 25-game loan spell at Brunton Park.

The ex-Everton player is understood to have been one of the highest-paid players in the United squad this season.

Speaking on Carlisle's website, head coach Chris Beech said: "Hallam is a great lad and he's been superb for me from the moment I came through the door.

"We saw improvements within his game and I've enjoyed working with him.

"Like anything, it's a short career for players and he was out of contract with us in the summer.

"As I understand he'd had a couple of enquiries from clubs previously which didn't materialise.

"This one has, and he told us that he wanted to explore things with Swindon and, at the same time, it's a good deal for the club. 

"Things like this are part and parcel of football and I wish him all the best for the future."

Hope could face a quick reunion with the Cumbrians as Swindon visit Brunton Park on February 8.

Robins boss Wellens believes he has signed a dangerous finisher in Hope.

Speaking to the Swindon Advertiser, Wellens said: "He's got goals in him, he trained [today] and he scored a hell of a lot of goals in training – his finishing is very good and he’s an aerial threat at the back post.

“Hopefully he can hit a good run of form now because he’s a very good age, he’s played a hell of a lot of games and physically he’s very good.

“We’ll try and work with him as much as possible in the short period before Saturday to get him up to speed with how we play.

“His movement is clever, and he can link up play, so I’m really pleased with this signing.”

Wellens added: “Last season, Hallam scored 15 league goals from a wide left position, which is obviously a really good return.

“I think the season before, he scored 14 from wide left.

“He’s a bit of a stop-start season at Carlisle, and the last six weeks or so he’s played up front when we think his best position is being the second striker from the left.

“We can play him up front, but long-term I do see him playing off the left.

“Coming into pockets, being clever, but when the ball is on the other side of the pitch he can be that second striker.”