Crewe Alexandra’s new signing Michael Raynes says he is excited about moving to Gresty Road after ending his stay at Carlisle United this summer.
Raynes will officially join the Railwaymen on 1st July after rejecting the offer of a new deal with the Cumbrians and the centre-half says that talking to David Artell convinced him to switch to South Cheshire.
The 29-year-old has signed an initial two-year deal with the option of a further year and he admits that he is pleased to be closer to his Manchester home.
Raynes told crewealex.net: “The manager sold the club to me. I came up and looked around the training ground and the facilities are ridiculous here. They are Championship standard at least and it is how you envisage a training ground should be when you are a kid.
“I spoke to the manager and my mind was made up. He told me that he came to Crewe at a similar age as me and he says it was the best decision he ever made. It certainly influenced my decision and at my age it is about happier than chasing money.
“I have been with my missus for ten years and I think I have been away for five of them, so it will be nice to put my family first and see my little girl more.
“Crewe is an absolutely brilliant club. They have a young manager who wants to do well and I am genuinely excited about the future here.”