We caught up with Callum Whelan after joining the Cumbrians from Gateshead on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: “I’m obviously buzzing and so excited to be here. It's such a massive club and it's been in the pipeline for a little while now, I’m just delighted to be here and signing.”
We asked Callum about the role of Mike Williamson in making the move to Brunton Park having played under the manager at Gateshead, he responded: “All the staff who are here now, I've worked under before and I love them all to pieces.
“They 100% get the best out of me, I have full belief in the staff and it's a big reason why I've come here.
“I'll try and come in knowing the system and the way Mike wants to play, to try my best and help the boys.
“There is lots of quality already here and I watched the game yesterday, [if we] keep playing like that, the lads will be fine so I’ll just do whatever I can to help the team.”
Callum has already featured at Brunton Park during his time with Oldham Athletic and was impressed, he said: “It’s a massive club, with a massive fan base. I've played here once and lost with lots of noise behind the goal.
“It's a huge club and when I knew they were interested and it was Carlisle, there was no real decision to be made, I just wanted to get it done.”
On talks building up to the move, he said: “It was really smooth. They approached me and asked if I would be interested and they're really keen, I 100% wanted to come.
“It's gone smoothly but transfers don't happen overnight.
“Everyone's been really good with me and welcomed me already and I've not been here that long.”
Speaking about the Blues' fortunes this season, he said: “It's football. Sometimes it doesn't go the way that you want, I've played against many of the boys before, and I've watched a couple of games, there's so much quality.
“I think yesterday's a great example of when your luck's not in, it's not in.
“But that'll definitely change. I'll come and run my socks off, work as hard as I can and try whatever I can to help the team push up the table to start being successful.”
We asked him about what qualities he hopes to bring to the team, he said: “First and foremost, hard work, run my socks off. I think it's a bare minimum for a football player.
“I like to get on the ball, get it from the defenders, give it to the forwards and let them do the magic.”
And he wants to add to the six goals, he scored for the Heed this season, he said: “I ended up getting a few in the last couple of years.
“If I can chip in with a few goals and help the team get some points, then that'll be even better than just winning.”
Callum started his football career as a youngster at Manchester United, which he said played an important role in his development: “I think it's only when you get a bit older you realise how probably special of a place it was to grow up there.
“It really sets you in a good place to go and have a career and I just wish I could go and do it all again.”
While at the Red Devils, he learned his trade from the likes of Michael Carrick, he said: “When we were training with the first team, Carrick was a coach in the under-23s and he was a top player and he's also a top manager now.”
Callum joined Watford after leaving the Old Trafford-based side before stints at Oldham and Solihull Moors followed, which continued to aid his growth as a player, he said: “I played a few times at Watford which was another little stepping stone, I got more good experience for my career, and I loved it there as well.
“I was quite young and new to men's football at Oldham, and it took some time to adjust but I feel like they're all great experiences and they all add up to the present moment of being here.”
On his time at Gateshead, he said: "It was originally a loan to get games and then fell in love and ended up signing for two years.
"What a brilliant place it is, I’m obviously delighted to come here and 100% its the right thing for me to do but I'll always love Gateshead, it's a top, top club."
His first impressions of Brunton Park were very positive and he can’t wait to play in front of the supporters, he said: “The setup is great, everything's there for us to go and do well.
“As I said before, I remember coming as an away player and thinking the atmosphere was really good, it's daunting to be an away player so hopefully we can turn results around and get it to be a daunting place to come again.
“I am so excited, I hate all the build-up of the calls and the signing bits, I want to get training, I want to meet the lads and then can't wait to get on the pitch.”
That chance to feature for the Blues could come as soon as Saturday’s trip to Tranmere Rovers, he said: “I feel like it's the best thing to go and get straight into a game and be nice to see and meet the boys tomorrow, but I can't wait to play in front of the fans and play for Carlisle as I said, it's a massive club.”
Finally, we asked him for a message to the fans, he said: “Stick with the lads, get behind the team because with the staff and the quality that's already in the dressing room in my opinion, I fully believe that we'll turn things around.
“That's why I'm here so stick with the lads, have full belief and we'll give 100% every time we play.”
