Former Carlisle United striker Wyke released by Wigan

Charlie Wyke (Image: Richard Parkes)

Former Carlisle United star Charlie Wyke is a free agent after leaving Wigan Athletic.

The former Blues leader was released by Latics after the League One season.

Striker Wyke is one of five out-of-contract players let go by Wigan, a list that includes another former United player in Ben Amos.

It ends a three-year spell at the DW Stadium for Wyke, 31, who ended last season on loan with Rotherham United in the Championship.

He scored 15 goals in 57 appearances for Wigan – a spell which saw Wyke recover from a cardiac arrest in 2021 which almost cost him his life.

He made a successful return to first team football and will now look to continue his career elsewhere.

“Charlie has had a unique journey with the club but leaves after winning the 2021/22 League One title and scoring several big goals. Thanks for your contributions as Tic!” Wigan said in a statement on social media.

Wyke was the subject of speculation over a possible return to Carlisle last January before joining Rotherham – who also sold fellow striker Georgie Kelly to the Blues on transfer deadline day.

Wyke has had an impressive goal scoring spell for Carlisle (Image: Barbara Abbott)

The Teessider was a goal-scoring star at Brunton Park during his two-year spell from 2015 to 2017.

Former Middlesbrough Wyke man scored 39 goals in 90 appearances before joining Bradford City in a £250,000 deal.

After a season and a half at Valley Parade, he joined Sunderland and spent almost three years at the Stadium of Light before moving to Wigan.

Latics boss Shaun Maloney has also released goalkeeper Amos – who was on loan at Carlisle from Manchester United in 2013/14 – as well as forward Josh Magennis, forward Stephen Humphrys and left-back Tom Pearce.

Wigan finished 12th in the third tier in the 2023/24 campaign, with Latics starting the season with an eight-point deduction.