BARROW AFC have snapped up another Carlisle United player as the club announced the signature of Paul Farman on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Farman joins from Barrow’s Cumbrian rivals after turning down a new contract at Carlisle, opting for a two-year deal at Holker Street.

He joins highly rated 24-year-old front man Offrande Zanzala in leaving Carlisle for Barrow.

Farman has revealed he is already excited for a ‘new challenge’ after spending just a solitary season at Brunton Park.

He said: “I am buzzing, it is a new challenge [and] I always look forward to them.

“It is great to get it sorted. Any interest just shows that you are doing your job and you are being noticed, and it is nice to be approached by clubs. It is recognition of the hard work you have put in.”

Farman faced his new teammates and manager Mark Cooper twice last season for Chris Beech’s side and knows all about the squad he is now joining.

The new signing said: “[They are] a bunch of hard-working lads, it is never an easy game. I think we beat Barrow once last year and drew here (Holker Street) so it’s probably a fair one on me to come in on.

“But like I said, there are some good players and we have got a good squad to build on.

“I have spoke to a few people, I have played against him [Cooper] an awful lot throughout the years, so he knows what I am about and I know what type of football he likes to play and of course the main thing is coming here and winning games.”

With fans expected to return to stadiums next season, Farman is keen to make Holker Street a ‘fortress,’ when the campaign kicks off in August.

“It is what you work hard for, to play in front of fans, and hopefully we get that back this year and we can turn this into a really tough place to come and win games,” Farman said.

“You always want to turn your place into a fortress and you don’t want people coming here and enjoying it.”

The North Shields-born star began his career at Newcastle United before making a senior breakthrough with Blyth Spartans, later moving to Gateshead in 2009.

He later joined Lincoln City where he made 250 appearances for The Imps.

Farman has played more than 400 senior games in his career and Cooper will undoubtedly be looking to the keeper’s experience during Barrow’s second season back in the Football League.