Former Carlisle United defender Max Kilsby has returned to Annan Athletic - on a permanent deal.

The Scottish League One club have confirmed the arrival of the ex-Blues prospect.

Kilsby has had two previous loan spells at Galabank and now links up again with the club after his release by United at the end of last season.

The 20-year-old joins new manager Wullie Gibson's squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Kilsby spent the 2022/23 season with Annan, playing a key part in their historic promotion to Scotland's third tier under Peter Murphy.

He then returned for another loan spell for the first half of last term, before heading to Queen of the South for the second half of the campaign.

United boss Paul Simpson released the former Brunton Park youth team player in April.

And Kilsby has now secured his future shortly before Annan's return to competitive action, with their Premier Sports Cup opener against Duncan Ferguson's Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday.

Kilsby said he was delighted to make the move to Galabank. Speaking on Annan's website, he said: "I’m really happy to be back.

"After speaking with the gaffer and playing in a few pre-season games, I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen. [I'm] looking forward to a good successful season.”

Manager Gibson added: “I’m looking forward to working with Max again.

"He’s got good attributes, knows the club well and had a good spell with us last time round.

"He’s still a young lad where confidence is a big thing and hopefully he’ll get that from the way myself and my staff work."

Kilsby is the second former United player to join Annan this summer after the earlier arrival of midfielder Josh Todd from Queen of the South.

And his arrival is the latest piece of pre-season business at Annan after earlier this week the club confirmed full-back Ryan Muir's retention.

He has signed a new deal for the 2024/25 campaign having joined the club last summer.