Skilful playmaker Eugen Bopp was born in Kiev but came through the renowned Youth Academy at German giants Bayern Munich. Although he never managed to make the first team in Munich, his footballing education helped immensely when he was snapped by the then Nottingham Forest boss Paul Hart in the summer of 2001. Having made his debut as a 17-year-old at the City Ground, Bopp went on to make 89 appearances during his five years at the City Ground.

He instantly became a firm favourite with the Alex fans after playing a major role in helping us stay in the Championship in 2005! His equalising goal against Gillingham on the final day of the season saw the Gills relegated and Crewe stay up on goal difference thanks to our nail-biting 2-1 win over Coventry!

Bopp moved on to Rotherham United in 2006 and went on to score 5 goals in 31 appearances at Millmoor before an ankle injury ended his season in late February. Bopp signed for the Alex in the summer of 2007, and scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Huddersfield in September 2006. His chances became few and far between until we was given a rare start in early February against Brighton.

After a disappointing first season at the Alexandra Stadium, Bopp has worked tremendously hard over the pre-season and has forced his way back into Steve Holland's first-team plans.