TRANSFER: Forward joins the Robins

Carlisle United can confirm that striker Hallam Hope has today joined Swindon Town on an 18-month deal, for an undisclosed fee.

Hope, 25, initially joined United on a two-year deal in the summer of 2017. A trigger-based clause in his contract meant that was extended for a further year, until the end of the current campaign.

The nippy forward had already spent time with the Blues when he initially moved to Cumbria on a one-month loan deal at the end of October 2015.

He bagged the goal which sealed the win in the FA Cup first round away victory against Plymouth during that spell and extended his stay until the end of that campaign having recovered from a troublesome ankle injury. His half-season spell netted him five goals in 25 appearances.

Head coach Chris Beech said: “Hallam is a great lad and he's been superb for me from the moment I came through the door. We saw improvements within his game and I've enjoyed working with him.

"Like anything, it's a short career for players and he was out of contract with us in the summer. As I understand he'd had a couple of enquiries from clubs previously which didn't materialise. This one has, and he told us that he wanted to explore things with Swindon and, at the same time, it's a good deal for the club. 

"Things like this are part and parcel of football and I wish him all the best for the future."

Hope started his career when he moved to Everton from Manchester City as a youngster and had loan spells with Northampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Bury (twice) whilst still with the Toffees.

His move to Bury became permanent when he signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Shakers in January 2015. He represented England at the U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels and has also represented Barbados at full international level.

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