FORMER Blackburn Rovers winger John O'Sullivan has signed an 18-month deal with League Two side Carlisle United.

The 23-year-old was released by Rovers earlier this month but he has now joined the Cumbrians, who sit inside the automatic promotion places in League Two.

O'Sullivan made just two starts for Rovers, with a further four substitute appearances, while he also had two loan spells with Accrington Stanley.

He most recent spell at the Wham Stadium was earlier this season when he scored twice in 25 appearances.

Carlisle assistant manager Lee Dykes said: “John is a player we've admired for quite a while. He's got good pedigree through his time at Blackburn Rovers and he's had some good loan spells where he's been tested in different ways.

"When he first went to Accrington there was a lot of talk about him and Blackburn were turning down six figure bids for him because they had high hopes for him.

"I know he's had a few offers from a higher division but we got in there early like we like to do. Whenever you watch John he stands out, and hopefully he'll stand out for us."