Shock January transfer confirmed after Premier League defender spotted at Newcastle United training ground

Newcastle United released the defender last summer following a 23-year association with the club. The Kenton native joined the Magpies aged nine and made 213 appearances for his boyhood club.

However, game time became limited after the Saudi-backed takeover, with just eight Premier League appearances in his last three seasons on Tyneside. Eddie Howe axed Dummett and fellow long-serving veteran Matt Ritchie in June, two players key to Newcastle’s promotion-winning season under Rafa Benitez in 2016-17.

Dummett was linked with several Championship clubs - including Middlesbrough and Sheffield United - before joining League One outfit Wigan Athletic in October. A two-month deal, the 33-year-old played just five times before opting against renewing his contract.

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Wigan boss Shaun Maloney made public his desire to keep Dummett - who trained at Newcastle’s training ground earlier this season - but the former Toon man will now join Carlisle. Rooted to the bottom of the EFL, the Cumbrians are managed by ex-United defender Mike Williamson.

"I played with Paul so he's someone I know very well,” Williamson said following the announcement. “He brings a lot of experience at a high level. I think he'll be a really good influence on the changing room on and off the field. 

“He's got obvious quality from playing at the highest level, we've just got to make sure we get him up to speed. He's fit in terms of being available, but he needs to work on his match fitness. It will take a bit of time to get fully up to speed, but he's someone who will be a massive help for everyone in the situation we are in."