Carlisle United have confirmed the re-signing of winger Nathan Thomas on a season-long loan deal from Premier League newcomers Sheffield United.
Thomas was at Brunton Park last night for the Blues' 3-0 home friendly win over Tranmere, having cut short his Gillingham loan to return to United.
It comes after Gillingham boss Steve Evans yesterday said the 24-year-old and his family had not settled in Kent after signing for the League One team.
He had been a summer target for Blues boss Steven Pressley, having enjoyed a successful loan spell at the club through the second-half of last season where he bagged four goals in 16 appearances.
At the start of the month, the Gills won the race for Thomas' signature but, since then, Evans and the Blades have come to an agreement to cancel unsettled Thomas' move to Priestfield, paving the way for a welcome Carlisle transfer boost.
Pressley said: "He was one of my main targets and we were, obviously, disappointed when he initially went to Gillingham.
"His agent contacted me about 10 days ago to inform me that Nathan and his family hadn't quite settled in the area, and he asked if we would still consider taking him in. Of course, the answer was 'yes' to that.
"We're delighted that we've got it over the line because he's a really exciting player.
"He has the qualities I want but he knows that I feel there are certain aspects of his game, and this includes his fitness, which need to be improved upon.
"That's something I spoke to him in great detail about before the end of last season and that's why I was disappointed when I didn't get the chance to get a full pre-season into him."
"I'm aware that he hasn't quite had a full pre-season, it's been a little bit mixed for him, and he's under no illusions that he'll be worked hard when he gets here," Pressley added to Carlisle's website.
"I've told him that he has to be fully committed to what we're doing and his response told me that this is a place he wants to come to, and that's obviously really good to hear.
"Nathan is a really likeable person and everybody at this club wants him to do well.
"He can be a match winner at League Two level and it's now over to him to show us that."
Carlisle say there is no recall clause in Thomas' loan and he has permission to play in all competitions for the club in their 2019/20 campaign.
With thanks to the News and Star.