Tom Pope has stated that he has nothing but respect for Crewe Alexandra after they accept a fee in excess of £150,000 from Rotherham United to secure his services on a three-year contract. The former Biddulph Victoria striker has joined Mark Robins' Millers after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical this afternoon.

Pope has moved to Yorkshire after holding talks about the club's promotion ambitions with the former Manchester United and Norwich City striker. Pope who spent three seasons at Gresty Road after being 're-discovered' in the non-league scene by Neil Baker, stressed that Crewe didn't stand in his way once Rotherham had agreed to equal their own club record transfer fee to secure his services.

On signing a three-year deal at the Don Valley Stadium, Pope said: "I feel that Rotherham is the place where I can build my career so hopefully I can get some goals and help the club get promoted back to League One.

"Rotherham, along with a couple of other clubs were interested, but the manager sold the club to me and I liked what I saw. I didn't need to look around anywhere else because this is the club I wanted to play for.

Tom, 23, added: "Crewe is a great club and they improve you as a player. They never stand in your way and I have nothing but respect for them. However, it was time for me to make a change and I feel that I have made the right decision."