Carlisle United have today signed Nottingham Forest defender Finley Back on a season-long loan deal.
Back, 19, has been with Forest’s academy since the age of eight and signed his first pro deal at the end of 2019.
Highly thought of by Steve Cooper he made five appearances for the first-team last season, which included three in their Championship promotion push.
A right back who can play more advanced roles, he comes from good stock with his father, Neil Back, having played in three Rugby World Cups for England, picking up a winner’s medal in 2003.
Manager Paul Simpson said: “He’s a player we identified a number of weeks ago. He’s been in and around the Forest media team through the first part of their pre-season, so we’ve had to wait patiently for it to finally get agreed.
“I think my friendship with Steve Cooper has certainly helped us, so I’ve been able to talk to him and then Greg [Abbott] has taken it up from there.
“Greg has badgered the life out of them over the last couple of weeks to finally get it done and I’m delighted that he’s here because I think he’ll really improve the group we’ve got.”
“He’s a player who is really keen to be involved in first-team football,” he added. “He’s got loads of energy and a fantastic attitude.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him go up and down the line as a right wing back for us. He can play at right back and in midfield as well, but my first thought is to see him in the wing back role.
“I know Forest think really highly of him and, having had quite a few conversations with him, he seems a really good personality.
“He’s desperate to make a successful career in football for himself and he was very close to being involved down at Forest.
“I think if they hadn’t got promotion to the Premier League he’d have played more games for them this season. We’re benefiting from the fact that they have gone up, and fingers crossed he’ll come in and show us what he’s all about.
“He’s hungry to play, and I’ll take younger or senior players every day of the week when that’s their mindset. I want players who want to be out on the pitch and doing their jobs."
“It’s a real challenge for us to get players up here," he told us. "We’re from Carlisle, we know what a lovely place this is, but players don’t always get that.
“From the very first time I spoke to Fin I could tell that he was keen to get up here, and it’s up to us to make him feel welcome and to make sure he settles.
“I’m sure the supporters will take to him, because of the way he plays, and the tenacity and energy he has on and off the ball will excite people.
“I’m sure he gets that positive approach from his father’s rugby background, and with how he applied himself, and he’ll bring that into working with us as well.”
With Fin’s father Neil having won the World Cup back in 2003 with England, he added: “It does no harm at all to come from that kind of background and environment.
“He’s seen the personality traits that are needed to bring success in professional sport. He’s got that mentality, and he knows that coming here is part of his progression.
“It’s now up to him to earn his place and to get appearances under his belt. He’ll need to show us he deserves to get the shirt and then that he deserves to keep it, and I’m looking forward to him taking that challenge up.”
On the prospects of any further transfer activity, he commented: “There’s nothing imminent, but we are looking to bring more players in, it’s as simple as that.
“We’ve got between now and 1 September, so there is plenty of time, but it won’t change in that I’ll only do it if I think the player will add to our squad.”
Fin is available to sponsor - please call 0330 094 5930 option 3 for more information.