By comparison, it's been a fairly quiet summer transfer window at Crewe Alexandra with most of the business being done and dusted early doors.

Unusually, we'll start with the outgoings - because there haven't been many of them.

Chris Dagnall & Zoumana Bakayogo were the two senior players of note to be released at the end of the 2017/18 season after two & three years at the Club respecitvely.

Both players will remain in League Two this season however, with Dagnall being snapped up by his pal Ryan Lowe at Bury & Zooms re-joining his former Club Tranmere, whom he spent four years with from 2009-13.

Striker Daniel Udoh failed to kick on at Crewe after his move from Ilkeston & he too was released, now plying his trade in the National League North with AFC Telford United. Ross Woodcock was the fourth & final released player after one year as a senior pro.

Perhaps the best bit of business done by Manager Dave Artell this summer was the retention of all of the Clubs young & promising assets.

Callum Ainley, James Jones & Charlie Kirk were all due to go out of contract during the summer, but Artell persuaded all three to re-sign & continue their development at Gresty Road.

The boss also moved to tie down two players on permanent contracts who impressed during the second half of 207/18 on loan. Shaun Miller & Paul Green both committed to Crewe during May to improve the experience in the squad & help maintain the seemless transition into the new season.

When word came out of striker Alex Nicholls' desire to leave Barnet following their relegation from the EFL, Artell moved swiftly to bring his former team mate to Crewe.

The pair played together at Northampton & Artell helped Nicholls during his rehabilitation during that period after a bad injury. Alex has gone on record to say that these values & friendship created played a key part in his decision to move to Crewe under Artell.

The fourth and final arrival during the permanent summer transfer window was the capture of experienced free agent Nicky Hunt. The former Bolton Wanderers full-back who played in the Premier League was released by Notts County at the end of last season & impressed during a four-week trial.

The loan window remains open for EFL Clubs until 31 August. Boss Dave Artell hasn't ruled out any business before then, but is happy with the way his permanent additions have added to the strength in depth of his squad.