Following two successful loan spells at Sixfields, the 33-year-old has today put pen to paper on an 18-month deal that means he will be a Cobblers player player until the summer of 2014.

Carlisle was a key man in the second half of last season as he helped Town avoid relegation from npower League Two while on loan from Burnley.

When a free agent in the summer, the former Queens Park Rangers man decided against signing on at Sixfields, instead joining York City to be nearer his family home in Halifax.

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But Carlisle had a change of heart two months into the season, rejoined the Cobblers as a loan player, and now, after again becoming a free agent, has now decided to commit his future to the club.

“I am delighted to have Clarke on board,” said boss Boothroyd, who was also Carlisle’s manager at Watford.

“He was a key part of us staying up last year and he is a leader, he has plenty of experience and he is a superb addition to the squad.

“He is the sort of player and the sort of person who inspires and improves others around him and I am delighted he will spending the next 18 months with us.”

Carlisle has to date made 23 loan appearances for the Cobblers, scoring one goal.