A former Carlisle United youth striker will face Workington Reds this weekend after joining one of their rivals.

Nic Bollado has signed for Morpeth Town after being released by Stockport County.

The 19-year-old, who made first-team appearances for the Blues, had been part of an "emerging talent" group at Stockport.

That followed his release by the Blues at the end of last season.

But after a loan spell at FC United of Manchester, he has now headed to the north east for his next move in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Bollado's new team-mates at Craik Park include fellow ex-Carlisle man Liam Noble. They sit 13th in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Borough Park to take on Danny Grainger's 15th-placed Reds.

The north east native, speaking to Morpeth's website, said he was glad to make the move to the Highwaymen.

“I wasn’t enjoying my football where I was,” he said.

News and Star: Nic Bollado pictured on his full United debut at BarrowNic Bollado pictured on his full United debut at Barrow (Image: Ben Holmes)

“I had spoken to the gaffer [Craig Lynch] about coming to training during pre-season so when the opportunity came about again I was more than happy to come on a permanent basis.

“I know how big of a club Morpeth is in the north east and I just wanted to come in and get to work to hopefully push us up the league.

“It was my first taste of men’s football as such, bar games there and then, at FC United so it is good experience and it becomes more normal as I’m amongst it every week.”

Bollado starred for Carlisle's youth team and his form earned him four first-team appearances under Paul Simpson last season.

They included a professional debut against Fleetwood Town in the Papa John's Trophy, a league debut at Newport County, a first senior start at Barrow in the Trophy and an FA Cup sub appearance against Tranmere Rovers.

But his emergence was not enough to earn Bollado a senior deal and he was among the second-year youth players released at the end of the campaign.