Former Carlisle United loan star Adam Clayton has landed a player-coach role in non-league.

He has linked up with Matlock Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Clayton, 35, joins Ryan Cresswell's backroom staff at the club who sit bottom of a division which also includes Workington Reds.

The ex-Blues man had previously been with NPL East club Liversedge, after leaving Rochdale at the end of last season.

Manager Cresswell spoke of his delight at bringing in Clayton.

"Clayts coming in and joining as a player-coach is a big positive for us as he looks to progress his coaching alongside playing," said the Gladiators boss.

"He has fantastic experience and I've no doubt will have a positive impact on the squad."

It was at Carlisle that Clayton made his Football League debut back in the 2009/10 season when he joined on loan under Greg Abbott.

Clayton, centre, pictured with Bradford before last year's play-off semi-final first leg chatting to the man who signed him for Carlisle, Greg AbbottClayton, centre, pictured with Bradford before last year's play-off semi-final first leg chatting to the man who signed him for Carlisle, Greg Abbott (Image: Richard Parkes)

He made 36 appearances and scored three goals for the Cumbrians, and was part of the side that played at Wembley in the 2010 Johnstone's Paint Trophy final defeat to Southampton.

Clayton then moved on to Leeds United on loan before joining them permanently, and has since played for Peterborough United, MK Dons, Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City and Rochdale.

He faced Carlisle in the 2023 League Two play-offs whilst with Bradford before dropping into non-league with Rochdale last term.

He could make his Matlock debut against Hebburn Town in NPL Premier this weekend.