Birchall played in the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad & Tobago
Carlisle United have signed Coventry City midfielder Chris Birchall on loan until 31 December.
The 24-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international has been told he does not figure in Chris Coleman's future plans.
"We watched Chris last season, so he is a player that we know all about," caretaker boss Greg Abbott told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"He'll provide a bit of strength and competition and we think that we have got ourselves a good player."
Birchall began his career with Port Vale where he scored nine times in 94 appearances and picked up the Valiants' young-player-of-the-year award in 2005.
He has international experience and is a young player with an excellent attitude
Greg Abbott
His impressive displays for Trinidad & Tobago at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany earned him a �300,000 move to Coventry on his return to England.
But his first-team opportunities have been limited and following an injury-hit loan spell with St Mirren last season, Birchall has been told he can leave the Ricoh Arena.
"He has international experience and is a young player with an excellent attitude," Abbott added.
"We hope he has the same kind of impact the signings of Tim Krul and Michael Liddle have had over the course of the last few games.
"We have all been delighted with them and I am sure that it will be the same with Chris."
Abbott has allowed midfielder Luke Joyce to join Blue Square Premier side Barrow on a one-month loan deal, while defender Josh Gowling has joined League One rivals Hereford until 3 January.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?