Carlisle United sign Crystal Palace's Seán Grehan on loan

The 19-year-old becomes their second signing of the day as Paul Simpson bolsters his squad early in the January transfer window.

Grehan has joined on a half-season loan and will give United’s manager another option in the centre of his defence.

The young Irish player joins Harrison Neal in putting pen to paper at Brunton Park ahead of this weekend’s trip to Exeter City.

And Grehan’s arrival from Selhurst Park comes as his Palace team-mate, Luke Plange, returns to his parent club with United deciding not to pursue a loan extension for the striker.

Former Bohemians defender Grehan has been with Palace since 2022, earning a deal after impressing on trial.

The 6ft Dubliner has since been a regular in the premier League club’s Under-21 side, while he has also been capped by the Republic of Ireland Under-19s.

Grehan joined Palace from Bohemians in 2022 (Image: PA)

Grehan, 19, has played for Palace’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy while he has also made Roy Hodgson’s first-team bench this season, and will now hope to make a first-team breakthrough at Carlisle in League One.

His team-mates in the young Palace side have included Plange and former United loanee John-Kymani Gordon.

His loan move to United comes after Grehan was awarded a new three-year deal at Selhurst Park.

After Grehan signed the deal last month, Palace’s academy director Gary Issott said: “Seán made a strong impression during his first season at the club and his hard work and determination has been rewarded with a new contract.

“He has not only slotted in well on the pitch, but also to life in south London, and I am sure he will continue to press on in the latter half of this season as he furthers his development.”

Grehan will compete with defenders such as Sam Lavelle, Jon Mellish, Ben Barclay, Corey Whelan and Paul Huntington for a place at the heart of Simpson’s rearguard.