Carlisle complete Burns signing

Burns had an unsuccessful trial with Gillingham last summer

Carlisle United have signed former Bolton midfielder Michael Burns following a trial spell with the club.

The 20-year-old, who spent six years with Liverpool's academy before moving to the Reebok in the summer, has signed an 18-month deal at Brunton Park.

The Cumbrians have also agreed contract extensions with club captain Paul Thirlwell and fellow midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

Both players have signed new two-year deals to stay until the summer of 2011.

Thirlwell, 29, joined Carlisle in the summer of 2006 on a free transfer from Derby County after previous spells with Sunderland and Sheffield United.

His season has been blighted by injury but a return to the side last month has seen him in impressive form.

We have been looking for some fresh, younger players who will push the lads who are already in the first team

Carlisle boss Greg Abbott

"He's my team captain, and he plays an important part in what we try to do," Carlisle boss Greg Abbott said.

"A fit Paul Thirlwell is vital to the way that we try to play. I'm delighted that we have got his future with us sorted and that he will be with us for another two years at least."

Bridge-Wilkinson, 29, is a product of the Derby County youth academy and moved to Brunton Park in 2007.

He has made over 70 appearances for the Cumbrians, scoring twelve times.

The midfielder, who also had spells with Port Vale, Stockport County and Bradford City, has found himself out of the starting eleven in recent weeks.

"Marc is a solid and dependable character who always gives everything when he goes out on to the pitch," Abbott said.

"He has shown us on numerous occasions that he is the kind of player who can make things happen for us. He is a very good midfield player who provides a real quality of competition in that area.

Bridge-Wilkinson has made over 70 appearances for the Cumbrians

"I think he is a really good signing and I am very pleased to be able to confirm that he is staying with us."

The signing of Michael Burns ends an uncertain period for the midfielder following his release by Bolton last month.

He also had an unsuccessful trial spell with League Two side Gillingham during the summer.

Abbott said: "Michael has done well and he fully deserves this contract offer. We have watched him train and play and he has convinced us that he is worth a longer term deal.

"He has a lot of ability and he is a very good passer of the ball. He has great energy and we have been looking for some fresh, younger players who will push the lads who are already in the first team, and he fits that bill.

"It's an opportunity for him, and hopefully it is one that he is going to take and make the most of. If he kick starts his career by being with us, then that is of benefit to him and us."

Fellow trialist Gavin Rothery has been given a further opportunity to impress after scoring the Cumbrians' only goal in the 2-1 reserve defeat by Morecambe on Monday.

"Gavin has worked hard and we want to take a longer look at him. He's a good, honest lad and we have decided to delay a decision on him until the end of the week," added Abbott.