Carlisle United have sold teenage defender Jarrad Branthwaite to Everton.

The Blues tonight announced a deal had been done with the Premier League club for the 17-year-old Cumbrian.

United have not said how much they have sold the teenager for.

They described the fee as "substantial" and said it included clauses that could benefit the club in future.

Some national reports have put the transfer fee at £1 million – with United having previously rejected a £500,000 bid tabled by Everton.

The Cumbrians also said Wigton-based Branthwaite, whose agent is the ex-Carlisle striker David Reeves, had turned down the offer of a new deal at Brunton Park two months ago, as in-Cumbria sister title the News & Star had recently reported.

In a statement director of football David Holdsworth said: “Ideally this fantastic young man would still be our player, but I think everyone will appreciate and understand that it can become very difficult for the individual when clubs at the highest level – some of the biggest clubs in the country – come calling and showing an interest in your services.

“We did what we could, but we have to respect the wishes of the player, his family and those who advise him.

"Once it becomes apparent that a player does want to move, all you can then do is work hard to get the best possible deal for the club.

“It is an excellent deal for Carlisle United in terms of the financial aspects, both now and in the future, and Everton are getting a young man who we think will make a big impact.

“I’m sure we all wish Jarrad the very best as he makes this move to Everton and the Premier League.”

The move follows a period when Branthwaite has been out of the team, Carlisle claiming he had missed their last game on Saturday through "illness".

Everton, though, unveiled Branthwaite tonight and said he has signed a two-and-a-half year deal, and will go into their under-23 squad, coached by David Unsworth.

The deal was announced shortly after Branthwaite had been spotted attending the Toffees' under-23s game against Arsenal tonight.

The teenager was quoted on the Everton website as saying: “The pathway is superb – that’s what made me want to join Everton.

“I’ve seen those players get their chance in the first team and do well.

“I just can’t wait to get started. Everton is a big club and I’m buzzing to be here."

Branthwaite is the third home-grown player to be sold recently by the Cumbrians, after the moves of Liam McCarron and Josh Galloway to Leeds.

Blues head coach Chris Beech said in a press conference earlier today there had been "two bids" from "top-class" clubs for Branthwaite over the weekend, but that he did not know who those clubs were.

Beech also said England's Under-18 and Under-19 coaches had been monitoring the defender, who had been eyed by other top-flight clubs including Watford, who the News & Star recently reported had bid for the teenager along with Everton.

He also insisted Branthwaite's recent injury and illnesses, which have seen him miss United's last four games, had been genuine and the club had not been putting up "smokescreens" as the transfer situation developed.

In previous interviews the head coach had said he was unaware of any developments over the defender's future.

There is no mention, meanwhile, in either club's statement of the possiblity of Branthwaite being loaned back to the Blues.

Whilst the fee has not been disclosed, numerous reports in recent days have suggested a fee of anything between £750,000-£1m.

The total deal, though, is likely to vary depending on the clauses Branthwaite could trigger during his time with the Goodison Park club.

The youngster made 14 first-team appearances for Carlisle this season after coming through the youth ranks.

He had been awarded professional terms last season, and in November became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer.