As striker Richie Bennett steps through the door at Brunton Park and out of the rain, he cuts an imposing figure.

Carlisle United's most recent addition, who joined the Blues on Tuesday night from Barrow, stands at comfortably more than six feet tall.

Blues boss Keith Curle had made a target-man centre-forward his top priority ahead of the start of his team's League Two campaign a week on Saturday, and Bennett appears like he will fit that bill.

United's pursuit of the Bluebirds' marksman was first revealed on July 6 when Barrow's Andrew Casson revealed that a bid from Carlisle had been rejected.

But, less than three weeks on, the 26-year-old headed to the north of the county to complete his transfer to Curle's side, despite being offered a contract extension by the National League side.

On how the deal, which saw the frontman sign a two-year contract with the option of an additional year, came about, Bennett says: "I think it has been rumoured now for quite a bit.

"But I don't tend to listen to the rumours until I get that phone call that it has all gone through. So, I had a phone call late the other night to say I could talk to Carlisle.

"That got everything started with my agent and stuff, and then I got the call to say I could come in and get everything signed. I'm happy to be here, really."

Bennett spent only a single season with Barrow prior to his move to Brunton Park. But the frontman made an impact, scoring more than 20 goals last season including 15 league goals.

And Bennett is hoping for similar success in front of goal this term.

He admits: "If I have even a similar season to what I had last season, then it will be a very good season for myself and the club.

"I think that it was a very big season last season for Barrow. So, if I get anything like I did last year - which I'm hoping I can do - I think with the facilities we have got and the staff we have got, that I am capable of doing it."

On what his early impressions of United have been, he says: "I have been impressed. They have got everything you need really to kick-on and do well.

"The training facilities are top-class really, with things like the gym on site. I have everything that I need to progress and do well. The staff are brilliant and the people are friendly."

Given his height, the forward will almost undoubtedly cause many League Two defences problems in the air throughout the course of the 2017/18 season.

"Basically, he has just said to me that he wants me to get that ball into the back of the net. He just wants me to make sure I'm in that box when crosses are coming in," says Bennett on what manager Curle expects from him.

"Just to be a handful - more or less like what happened last year at Barrow. Be up there and score goals, and help us to win games."

Despite positive seasons for both Barrow and Carlisle, with both battling at the top end of their respective tables, neither were able to earn promotion. Paul Cox's Bluebirds missed out on the National League play-offs, while the Blues were beaten by Exeter in their League Two play-off semi-final.

But Bennett is hoping to use that disappointment to drive himself on to bigger and better things.

"We were gutted not to make the play-offs after working so hard," he concedes. "To nearly get there and not quite [make it], I think it hurt a few of the lads.

"This year, I will be remembering that and I will be wanting to go one step further. I will be wanting to repay Carlisle United for the trust they have put in me by hopefully, at least, putting us into the play-offs. It would be nice to do that."

While Bennett's height will be an asset Carlisle will want to use, footage of his goals last season show he is more than capable with his feet, too.

"I would like to say I'm aggressive, quick - one of them annoying strikers that doesn't really give you time to think about what you are doing on the ball," he says. "And a natural goalscorer, I would like to think, anyway."

Having already brought in Hallam Hope along with Bennett this summer, the pair could well prove vital to the Cumbrians' fortunes in front of goals, while Shaun Miller makes up the trio of senior strikers on United's books.

But Bennett is more than happy to fight for his place.

He admits: "I don't expect to come in and start by any means. At Barrow last year, I had to wait for an opportunity to prove myself to get that starting place.

"Once you get it, it is then yours to keep hold of or lose. I think it is key to keep that desire to go and win, and to keep scoring them goals."

This term will also mark Bennett's first in the Football League, having earned his move to Barrow last summer from Northwich Victoria.

But, during Barrow's run to the FA Cup third round last season - where the Bluebirds were beaten by Rochdale, Carlisle's conquerors - Bennett has already played Football League opposition. They beat League One outfit Bristol Rovers in the second round.

"I don't know if I'm expecting it to be different," Bennett admits ahead of the step-up the English football pyramid. "I played a few Football League teams last year with Barrow in the FA Cup.

"I guess the sides will probably have a bit more quality and a bit more finesse really, so you will have to be on it every game. You can't not be on it for a game, otherwise you will get punished. It would be great to have that consistency at that level."

Bennett could make his first Carlisle appearance tomorrow - against Blackburn, opposition he has already faced this pre-season.

He scored Barrow's goal as they opened their pre-season with a 2-1 defeat to Rovers.