Pidgeley made two appearances for Chelsea earlier in his career

Carlisle United have signed goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley following his release by League One rivals Millwall.

The 25-year-old has signed a one-year deal at Brunton Park and becomes an immediate replacement for Colchester-bound Ben Williams.

The former Chelsea trainee made just two Premier League appearances and was loaned to Watford and Millwall before he joined the latter in June 2006.

He made 65 appearances in his time at the New Den.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott said: "He comes with very good recommendations in terms of his goalkeeping, but we know that he has had a couple of other issues that have stopped him from progressing in the way that he would have wanted and he had to deal with those.

He has made it clear that he wants to prove to people that he's a top keeper and I'm happy to give him that opportunity Carlisle manager Greg Abbott

"We're honest in the way that we like to deal with people and we've told him that his experience will mean that he will come in as our number one.

"However, he is under no illusions that he will be under massive pressure from Adam Collin. The pair of them will battle it out for the shirt and for the right to start the games."

Pidgley spent the last three months of last season on loan at Woking in the Blue Square Premier.

"He's another who just wants to come in and play," Abbott said.

"He has made it clear that he wants to prove to people that he's a top keeper and I'm happy to give him that opportunity.

"He's worked with a lot of good people and he wants to kick start his career again and I know that he is determined to do well. I can't ask for any more than that."

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