It is the 29-year-old's second spell at the club, having scored 15 goals in 30 league appearances with the Cumbrians before joining current club Hull City.

Bridges had initially been a target for the Gold Coast Galaxy franchise but that door was slammed shut recently.

Out of favour at Hull, he has decided to return to happier territory. Carlisle boss John Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I've been speaking to Michael for two or three weeks now. We're delighted and I know Michael is delighted to be back in a Carlisle shirt once again.

"We've brought him in on a season-long loan initially and then we'll see how it goes after that.

"He's perhaps got some catching up to do in terms of first-team football but we have three more games to go before the start of the season and I'm sure Michael will quickly get up to speed by that time."

Bridges' current contract with Hull ends next summer, after which Carlisle have first option on signing the player.