Former Carlisle United goalkeeper Mark Howard has signed for Wrexham.

The National League club have handed the experienced keeper a deal after his release from Brunton Park.

It sees 35-year-old Howard join the promotion favourites in non-league's top tier for the 2022/23 season.

Howard was a multiple player of the year at Carlisle last term with his experience and reliability proving a major part in the Blues' League Two survival.

READ MORE: Carlisle United striker Tristan Abrahams joins National League club

He chalked up 40 appearances after joining as a free agent last October.

Despite sweeping the board at the club's end-of-season awards, he was among the players released by United manager Paul Simpson.

News and Star: Howard played a major part in United's survival in 2021/22 (photo: Barbara Abbott)Howard played a major part in United's survival in 2021/22 (photo: Barbara Abbott)

He now links up again with his former Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson at the Racecourse Ground, where his team-mates will include former United defender Aaron Hayden.

It also sees the ex-Sheffield United and Blackpool man join the club who are under the high-profile ownership of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny.

Howard, speaking to Wrexham's website, said of the move: "I’ve been speaking to Phil [Parkinson] for a few days now.

"I’m thrilled to get it finally done and dusted and I can’t wait to get going.

“I love playing in front of full attendances and a lot of crowd, and that was something that really attracted me to Wrexham. To have this opportunity to play in front of these fans, it will be exciting.

READ MORE: Club to 'celebrate the life' of former Carlisle United manager

“There’s only one aim for this season now, and that’s to get promoted.”

Parkinson added: “Mark’s an experienced goalkeeper who I worked with at Bolton, and he was player of the season at Carlisle last year. He has a lot of league experience and will be a great addition.

“He’s a confident lad and a strong character who will offer strong leadership qualities in the dressing room too.”

Big-spending Wrexham, after missing out on promotion via the play-offs last season, are the bookies' favourites to return to the EFL next term.

After deciding against offering Howard a new deal, Blues boss Simpson signed ex-Ipswich Town keeper Tomas Holy this summer.

The United manager recently released a trialist keeper, with Holy's understudies currently the teenage pair of Gabe Breeze and Scott Simons.