Why Georgie Kelly may have to wait for Carlisle United debut

But the Blues boss feels the striker will be a major addition to the club both now and for the long-term.

Kelly joined Carlisle from Rotherham United on transfer deadline day, the Blues handing the big Irishman a three-and-a-half year deal.

Simpson said United could not afford to miss the chance to sign the 27-year-old even though his involvement at Leyton Orient on Saturday is in question.

“He joins us with a little bit of a niggly issue injury-wise, where we’re hoping in the next couple of weeks he’ll be fit, but we couldn’t leave it until he got fit because we’d have missed the opportunity,” Simpson said.

Kelly pictured scoring one of his three goals for Rotherham in a pre-season friendly against Mansfield (Image: Richard Parkes)

“He’s a long-term one for us. He’s a target man who I think could be a really good addition to our football club.”

Kelly was a prolific scorer in Ireland with Bohemians before moving to Rotherham in January 2022.

He has been short of starts for the Millers and has been on Carlisle’s radar for some time.

“We’ve signed him on a long-term contract. I see him being a big part of the future of the football club,” said Simpson, speaking to the club’s official channels.

“I’m really excited to see him get out there and show us what he’s all about.

“He had a fantastic record playing over in Irish football, where he first came to my attention.

Simpson believes target-man Kelly will prove a crucial long-term signing for United (Image: Richard Parkes)

“He came over to Rotherham and it’s probably fair to say he’s had a frustrating time there because he’s had an incredible amount of substitute appearances – something like 44, and four starts. I’m sure he expected more than that.

“He’s been kicking his heels and wanting to play, but he’s got a few goals for them.

“The opportunity came for us to get him – we talked about him last summer but it looked like he was going somewhere else then Rotherham decided he wasn’t going to go.

“So we’ve jumped in now and managed to get him.”