Carlisle United welcome midfielders Josh Vela and Jack Diamond
Playing football Credit: None
Carlisle United have announced the signing of Josh Vela on an 18-month contract. They have also secured Sunderland midfielder Jack Diamond on loan until the season's end.
Vela, 30, joins from Fleetwood Town, where he was the team captain. He is set to be included in the squad for the upcoming game against Bolton.
Manager Paul Simpson commented on Vela's signing, saying, “He’s a leader with great experience. He’s a player who will not only help us this season but will help us next year as well.”
Diamond, 24, a product of Sunderland’s academy, has made 45 appearances in all competitions. He also had three loan spells with Harrogate, where he scored 19 goals in 77 appearances.
Diamond spent the 2022/23 season at Lincoln, scoring six goals in 36 appearances and earning a nomination for the EFL League One Player of the Month in September 2022.
Diamond's loan at Lincoln was terminated after he faced charges last March. This month, he was cleared of all charges.
Simpson expressed excitement about Diamond's addition to the team: “I’m delighted to get a player of Jack’s ability into the building. He’s a player who we hope will come in, create and score goals for us."
Club Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens also welcomed Diamond, stating, “We would like to give Jack a very warm welcome to Brunton Park and Carlisle United. We want to emphasise our ongoing support to him now and in the season ahead, as he looks forward to the future with Carlisle United."
Clibbens went on to acknowlegde the recent court case Diamond was involved in.
“It is a matter of public record and widespread media reporting that Jack has recently faced prosecution and charges at a Crown Court trial, with all the headlines and intense public scrutiny that brings. That has overshadowed the last two years of his personal life and career.
“Following the conclusion of that judicial process in early January 2024, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him not guilty of all the charges after an extremely short deliberation.
“After being cleared, he then returned to Sunderland to resume his football career.
“This is now an opportunity for Jack to move forward in his life after an extremely challenging period. He can now return to football again, and do what he does best.
“We want to emphasise our ongoing support to him now and in the season ahead, as he looks forward to the future with Carlisle United.
“We recognise the judicial process has been followed. Having been subject to the law of the land, tried in front of a jury and acquitted, he is now able to move on.
“We want to help him do that. We believe this is the right thing to do, and that our fans will support this and give Jack their full support too.”
