Smith made seventeen starts for Carlisle last season

Carlisle United midfielder Grant Smith has said he is happy to have resolved his future after signing a new one-year deal with the club.

The 28-year-old ended speculation about whether he would leave Brunton Park after talks with Carlisle manager John Ward this week.

"It's always a relief to get it sorted out," Smith told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It had been dragging on for a while I but I'm just happy and relieved that it's all sorted."

Carlisle United are Smith's fourteenth club following spells at Wycombe, Reading, Hearts, Livingston, Clydebank, Sheffield United, Halifax, Plymouth, Swindon, Bristol City, Walsall, Dundee United and HJK Helsinki.

All the talk from the gaffer right now is about that first game against Bristol Rovers Grant Smith

He said: "It's nice to get some stability because that's when you play your best football, I've got a full pre-season to look forward to now and I can concentrate on playing and getting in the team.�

Irvine-born Smith, who scored one goal last season, added: "It's good to have some friendly games to be involved in over the next few weeks but I think everyone can't wait until the start of the season.

"That's what everyone is aiming for, all the talk from the gaffer right now is about that first game against Bristol Rovers."