Carlisle United are delighted to announce the signing of Bristol City defender Duncan Idehen on a half-season loan deal today.
Idehen, 20, started his career with Norwich City and had spells with Lincoln City and Grimsby Town – where he made six first-team appearances – before making the switch to Bristol City, having been spotted by their scouting network.
He signed an initial six-month contract in January 2022, and this became a two-year deal at the end of the 2021/22 season.
He made his Championship debut when he came off the bench in a 3-1 away at Derby last April, and rounded off the campaign with a second away appearance, this time at Huddersfield.
Manager Paul Simpson said: "I think I've made it obvious in everything I've said over the last week or so that we were looking to bring another defender in to strengthen the group
"Ideally we wanted a left-sided player and Duncan certainly fits that profile. I'm looking forward to getting him working with us and to getting him integrated into the group, and I'm sure he's going to be another really good addition to our squad.
"He's a good size, he loves defending and he has a bit of pace about him. He's confident on the ball and I'm delighted that Bristol City have agreed to let him come to us."
"He's had appearances in the Championship and he was part of their squad during pre-season," he added. "They've got players back from injury and a decent number of centre-backs, so he's gone back to U23s down there.
"I was aware of him last season, but he's not one I've worked with before. He came to Bristol after I'd left, but I knew about him and I've spoken to the staff who I was with and they've given him rave reviews.
"We've had him watched this season just to confirm our thinking and, like I say, he fits the profile of what we want here. That's in terms of character and ability, and I'm delighted that we've got him with us."
And on the potential for further signings, he commented: "I'll be honest with you, I'm in a position where when we have everybody fit I really like the balance of the squad that we've got now.
"There are good numbers and decent competition in key areas, but obviously that doesn't take away from the fact that it's really challenging for us at the moment.
"The injuries we're dealing with leave us a bit light, and that's why we moved to get Duncan, but I hope that over the next 10 days we'll have least two of those back with us, and possibly over the next two to three weeks we'll have four or five of them back.
"Fingers crossed it'll look much better in the next few weeks, and we'll have some real selection headaches to come."
This loan move remains subject to the clearance and completion of all paperwork.
Duncan Idehen will wear squad number 33.
Duncan is available to sponsor - please email commercial@carlisleunited.co.uk for more details.