Alfie McCalmont has left Carlisle United to join Australian club Central Coast Mariners.

The midfielder's departure from the Blues had been on the cards throughout the early stages of pre-season.

And now his move Down Under - where he joins the same A-League club as former Blues and Leeds United team-mate Ryan Edmondson - has now been confirmed.

Carlisle announced they had reached an agreement with McCalmont, who was under contract for another year, to leave Brunton Park and head to the Mariners.

Manager Paul Simpson recently said McCalmont had expressed a wish to leave United.

He now follows the same route as Edmondson in linking up with the New South Wales club, whose head coach is their former Leeds coach Mark Jackson and who won the A-League title last season.

McCalmont, 24, spent the last season and a half at Brunton Park, initially joining on loan from Leeds in January 2023.

He played his part in the side that won promotion through the League Two play-offs, and then joined the Cumbrians on a permanent basis.

But a disappointing League One campaign in 2023/24 put McCalmont's future back under question, while late in the season he was one of three players punished by the club over an Easter night out.

He has not been involved in United's first two pre-season friendlies with Simpson telling the News & Star last week the midfielder was set to leave.

"At the end of last season, I asked everybody if they're 100 per cent committed to us, and Alfie said that he felt as though he needed to move on for his career," said the Blues boss.

"I was disappointed, I was surprised but I respect it and I respect that decision if that's what he wants.

"I don't want to keep players at this club who don't want to be here, because we've got a big season ahead of us - we've got a real challenge to get back to where we want to be and we need every single player pulling in the same direction.

"If it happens for Alfie, then good luck to him."

McCalmont made 54 appearances for United, scoring four goals. He is the second player to leave the Blues in recent days after Jack Armer's switch to Burton Albion.

Simpson, speaking on the United website, added today: "When I had the conversations at the end of the season with the players, Alfie was the one who surprised me and disappointed me. 

“I asked everyone if they were 100 per cent committed to taking this club back up the league, and he said he wanted to leave. 

“His agent has been working to find him a club and Alfie sees this as a fantastic opportunity to go and further his career

“We all wish him the best and thank him for his efforts during his time with us."

McCalmont's move is subject to visa approval. Mariners boss Jackson said: "It’s fantastic to get Alfie McCalmont over the line.

"He’s a player I know really, really well. Similar to the relationship I have with Ryan Edmondson, I’ve known Alfie from a young age, worked with him a lot and watched his career develop in England.

“He’s a vastly experienced player even though he’s only 24. He’s amassed a lot of league appearances in England, so he brings experience to the team despite being a young age.

“Alfie’s a defensive midfielder but we know he can play higher up the pitch as well. I know he fits into the team as a player and importantly, I know from a cultural point of view, he will fit into the club.

"We’re really looking forward to welcoming Alfie to the club and getting to work with him.”

McCalmont said it was a "great opportunity" to work with the Mariners management team again.

“I loved working with them in England and to see their success last season, it has been an easy decision," he said.

“I have spoken to Jacko a lot about how he wants me to play in this team, the style suits me a lot, keeping the ball moving and attack minded. I can’t wait to get to the stadium and play in front of our amazing fans this season.”