“I really wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone,” says Cameron Harper, who has swapped his boyhood club for a fresh start with Carlisle United. The left-sided wing-back was at Inverness Caledonian Thistle from ten and admits playing for them had long been the extent of his ambitions.

Yet now, at 22, a burgeoning career has seen him cross the border. He is perhaps the most intriguing of United’s summer signings so far: a Scottish prospect with a canny left foot and qualities Paul Simpson hopes will flourish in England's League Two.

It was, Harper says, a “bittersweet” feeling leaving Caley Thistle but also a decision he is sure about. “If I'm honest, I always kind of knew last year was probably going to be my last at Inverness,” he says. “I just felt like it was time to maybe move on – that my time there had come to an end and I wanted a new start.

“I could have easily stayed in Scotland. I had offers from the Premiership. But I really wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone of just living up the road, and try something new.

“I always said I wanted to try England and give it a go, so that was my thought process.”

Harper had interest from several clubs in England too but says Carlisle, after his conversations with Simpson and his growing awareness of the Piataks’ plans, “aligned” with his own ambitions.

Things at the club he has just left are far from settled given the reports of financial difficulty at Inverness. Yet Harper stresses this was not the trigger for him to go. “Last summer I almost had an opportunity to come to England and it didn't quite work out,” he says.

“So [last] season, I’d already made the decision, subconsciously in my head, whilst giving my all for my boyhood club, that it would be time to move on.”

Harper says this would have been the case even if Caley had, in 2023/24, emulated some of his better times at the club, rather than gone down to League One amid off-field concerns.

Harper has signed a three-year deal with UnitedHarper has signed a three-year deal with United (Image: Carlisle United)

He has tasted memorable experiences in the fairly recent times. “Since the age of ten all I wanted to do was play for Inverness, and then making my debut [was special],” he says.

“Some of the play-off games were memorable – at Arbroath [in 2022] we were down to nine men but ended up winning on penalties, and [in 2023] we reached the Scottish Cup final [Harper played in front of 47,247 at Hampden as Caley went down 3-1 to Celtic].

“There were a lot of good times up there and a lot of friends that I have for life, players and coaches too. It was a bittersweet moment [to leave], but I knew for the good of my career I had to move on, and I’m happy I’ve made the move now.”

Does Harper, then, have particular expectations on the difference between Scottish and English leagues?

“I’ve spoken to a few of the boys and they've been telling me what League Two is like, but I don't want to make any assumptions yet,” he says. “I know it's going to be difficult, and I know there's a lot of good teams in this league, so I know we'll have to be at it from the very first game. But in terms of judging on [any difference in] standard, I’m not quite sure yet.”

Harper, at least, says he “feels at home” at Carlisle and has settled in well. He believes the aims on and off the field speak of a club with clear ambition.

“[I was sold on it] probably from my first chat with the gaffer, him telling me exactly what he expects of me and what he expects of the team in terms of this season,” he says.

““I really wanted to be involved in a team that said, ‘We're going for the league title this year’. I want to be involved in a team that's set out with that ambition. It aligns with myself.

“And then, with the owners’ plans, you can see all the change going around the stadium – it's crazy. I could see all the work going on when I first came down to do my medical.

“It's a happy place to be. There's a good vibe around the place.”

Harper intends to be a positive presence on the pitch, down United’s left side.

“I would say I'm an attacking wing back,” he says. “Hopefully I can get [supporters] off their seats, [by] running at defenders, setting up goals and hopefully popping a few free-kicks in and adding some goals to my game.

“Hopefully I can do that a lot this season.”

The set-piece aspect of Harper’s game is an important one. “Definitely – and I probably should have scored more of them last season if I'm critical of myself,” he says.

“But the one I did score against Queens Park [watch below]…you know straight away when you're taking set-pieces if they're good or not. It's something that I can definitely keep in my game and hopefully add to.”

Harper hopes to be part of a positive reset at United after relegation from League One. The Scot and his fellow new boys are charged with helping to change the tone.

“The gaffer’s bringing in new signings and all the boys are a very good standard, and being demanding of each other from day one,” he says.

His own signing was greeted positively by hopeful fans. “You see stuff when it gets announced, and it seemed to get quite a good reaction,” Harper says.

“I’m thankful to the fans for that, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”