Forward becomes free agent.

Crewe Alexandra can confirm they have opted against signing Nathan Ellington. The experienced forward has been training with the Alex for the last few months and impressed in several U21 games for the club, but with a healthy choice of strikers and Mathias Pogba nearing a return Ellington will now be free to find another club.

Ellington has hit 147 goals in just over 500 career appearances since first making a name for himself with Bristol Rovers. After scoring 44 goals in 95 starts for the Pirates, he earned a £1.25m move to Wigan, before making successive £3m moves to West Brom and then Watford.

He originally arrived at the Alex in February but after a prolific run of goals in trial games, Ellington was awarded with a short-term deal with the club. He made eight appearances for the Alex towards the end of last season before his deal came to an end.

Ellington continued to train with the club over the summer in a bid to earn a long-term deal with the club and already has five goals in the U21 side to his name this term, but he will now be free to search for a new challenge.

Everyone at the club would like to wish Nathan all the best for his future career.