Owen Moxon has issued a heartfelt statement about leaving Carlisle United - and said "maybe one day we will meet again".

The midfielder, after completing a move to Portsmouth, said it was "hard" to leave his home-city club.

But Moxon said he wanted to step out of his comfort zone and take on a new challenge with the League One leaders.

In a statement on social media, the 26-year-old from Denton Holme also paid tribute to his former colleagues at United and said the future at Brunton Park is bright under the club's new owners, the Piataks.

"I want to thank everyone involved with the club from top to bottom," said Moxon.

"It's filled with too many good people to name individually but the staff, managers, coaches, players, the kit team, cleaners...thank-you for making a home from home for me.

"Obviously what we achieved last year [promotion at Wembley] was amazing, best day of my career and I'll forever be grateful to share it with some great players and even better people which I'll call friends for life.

"Most importantly, to share it with you fans.

"A local boy being able to help his local team to a promotion we have all waited so long for...it really doesn't get any better than that.

"It's really hard and saddens me to leave the club but I would like to think I've helped get the club into a better position than it was when I arrived.

"From released at 16 to returning at 24. The memories I can treasure from this club just kept on giving.

"All good things come to an end and I feel like this is the right time for me to try something new and step out of my comfort zone.

"Thank you to the amazing support, I am truly grateful.

"I would like to thank the whole Piatak family for the short time I've got to meet them - lovely people with great ambition! The future is bright.

"Goodbye for now. Maybe one day we will meet again. UTB."