Rich Hughes and his recruitment team added Matt Macey, Myles Peart-Harris, Callum Lang, Tom McIntyre and Owen Moxon to their ranks.
In addition, Josh Martin signed a deal until the end of the season, following the expiry of his short-term contract.
Here, in his own words, sporting director Hughes explains why the Blues signed the six during a pivotal window for their promotion hopes...
5. Owen Moxon
Rich Hughes said: ‘Owen Moxon is a player we watched all last season at Carlisle, really liked him and picked him up. We have tracked him for a long period of time. ‘He gives us a different option in terms of that central midfield profile. He’s very tall, very powerful, has an X-factor delivery in terms of his set-piece quality and a good range of passing. ‘His direct free-kicks and corners are a real plus point. From speaking to Mox, I know it’s something he works very hard at and prides himself on. ‘The nice thing about Owen is that, despite being 26, I genuinely think there’s a lot more to come with him because of the speed he has developed through the pro game. This is a great platform for him to develop - and for us to develop with him as well.' Photo: Jason Brown
6. Owen Moxon - Continued...
Rich Hughes (continued): ‘Owen can be used in a couple of different positions. Carlisle changed their formation a bit and played two sixes and a 10 or one six and two eights, so he played a few variations in those. ‘We are pleased to have Owen and it’s a really nice problem figuring out how best to use him along with the core of central midfielders already here, who are all in good form.’ Photo: Jason Brown
7. Matt Macey
Rich Hughes said: ‘First and foremost, we knew Matt as an individual. He really enjoyed his time here last season and wanted to be here, competing for the team. ‘You see the standard of the goalkeeping union in terms of Will Norris, Schoey (Ryan Schofield), Matt and Toby (Steward), it’s a really high standard, they are really competitive. ‘What it did allow us was for Josh Oluwayemi to leave the football club to continue his development somewhere else - and we wish him all the best.’ Photo: Jason Brown
8. Josh Martin
Rich Hughes said: ‘Josh is new on merit. We extended his contract, he has found himself on the bench and is affecting things. ‘He’s another player who has given us a different option and, credit to Josh, there were opportunities for him to go somewhere else, but he’s enjoying his time here. ‘He feels he can affect it and we were pleased to reach an agreement to keep him here until the end of the season.’ Photo: Jason Brown