Former Carlisle United loan man Sonny Hilton has a new club.

The midfielder has joined Bootle in non-league's fourth tier.

Hilton made his debut for the Northern Premier League West Division club on Friday night after agreeing the move.

The 22-year-old has returned to his native Merseyside following his departure from Premier League club Fulham at the end of last season.

Hilton came off the bench for Bootle in their 3-1 defeat to a Runcorn Linnets side managed by ex-Blues striker Billy Paynter.

It saw the former England Under-19 international back in action as he looks to kickstart his career down the pyramid.

Hilton's previous first-team involvement came in an injury-hit loan spell at Brunton Park last season.

The midfielder joined on a season-long loan in the summer of 2022 but only made ten first-team outings, with his seven league appearances for Paul Simpson's side coming from the substitutes' bench.

Hilton's progress at Carlisle was hindered by an ankle injury suffered in last September's 1-1 draw at Newport County.

Upon his recovery, he struggled for first-team involvement and his season-long stay was cut short in January.

As Hilton returned to Fulham's under-23 ranks, he remained in touch with his former United team-mates and was at Wembley to watch the Blues win the League Two play-off final against Stockport County in May.

Hilton had been with Fulham from under-16 level having joined the Cottagers from Tranmere Rovers.

His time in London also saw a loan spell with Finnish club TPS in 2021. He played for Fulham's Under-21s in the EFL Trophy but did not make a senior appearance for the club.

Hilton is understood to have had interest from other non-league clubs but has now linked up with Mick McGraa's Bootle, who announced the deal on Friday.

"Bootle are delighted to announce the signing of Sonny Hilton, who joins us after his contract ended with Fulham," the club said. "We are also delighted to announce the dual registration of Ryan Bopda from Altrincham. Both are in the squad for tonight’s game."

Hilton came off the bench in the 80th minute of Friday's defeat to Runcorn, whose squad included an ex-Carlisle and Workington Reds player in James Hooper, at the Berry Street Garage Stadium.

Bootle sit 16th in NPL West, the division from which Workington were promoted last season.