After more than a decade with Leeds United, Alfie McCalmont has departed the club permanently. The 23-year-old midfielder has rejoined Carlisle United after the clubs agreed on an undisclosed fee for his transfer.
McCalmont started all but four of the Brunton Park outfit’s final 18 matches in League Two last season as they won promotion via the play-offs. The Northern Ireland international had one year left on his latest contract at Elland Road, but had not featured in the first team since two EFL Cup appearances in August 2019.
The Thirsk-born midfielder joined United’s academy as a child and came through the ranks, playing a key role with the under-18 and under-23 sides in more recent years. McCalmont would win league titles with the age-group sides, but struggled to make the leap to the first team stick.
Marcelo Bielsa rated him enough to give him a professional debut in August 2019 away at Salford City. A 70th-minute introduction there would be followed by a full debut against Stoke City two weeks later, also in the EFL Cup.
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McCalmont would ultimately seek out more regular opportunities with Oldham Athletic and Morecambe in the EFL before Carlisle came calling in January. Under Paul Simpson’s wing, McCalmont would be a trusted regular in a run which took the Cumbrian side all the way to Wembley and a penalty-shootout victory over Stockport County.
A club statement said: “Alfie departs with the club’s very best wishes. We would like to place on record our thanks for his professionalism and efforts and wish him all the best for the future.”
