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Bridges initially joined the Cumbrians on loan, with a view to a permanent transfer from Bristol City in November 2005, and he did indeed make that move a full one when he signed an 18-month contract with the Blues over the Christmas period that year. In his time at Brunton Park Michael made 28 starts, plus three as a substitute, scoring a bumper 15 goals in the process.
So with Bridges turning down a new deal with United and making no secret of his ambitions to play at a higher level again, the club were faced with the prospect of seeing him walk away for nothing in the summer of 2007. Bridges moving on has been a constant rumour over the last few months, even more so since Darlington had a £250,000 bid rejected for him last month, and it is no real suprise to see him leave on transfer deadline day and pen a three year deal at the KC Stadium.
His move to Hull does leave the Blues extremely thin in attack now though, with Carlisle boss Neil McDonald saying tonight that he won't be signing anybody on a permanent basis before the transfer window closes at midnight. The emergency loan window reopens next Thursday and you'd certainly hope that United will be busy in that in trying to bring in new strikers, in order to help consolidate their position in League One this season.