David Artell says that his first signing of the summer, Offrande Zanzala, understands the philosophy of the Football Club and is determined to come and improve as a footballer. The Congolese-born forward joined recently from Accrington Stanley and despite having other interest from League One clubs, he elected to move to Crewe Alexandra because of what we can offer him in terms of coaching and development.

The 23-year-old, who scored eight goals for Accrington last season before the outbreak of Covid-19, has impressed Artell and his staff with his character and desire to move to Gresty Road.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Some players are money oriented and that is fine but when it comes to Offrande, he understood what we are about. We might not be able to offer top money, especially in relation to League One clubs but we can offer something different.

“We can provide that platform to play higher, if not with us then with someone else in the future. When we met and talked things through, he embraced that and his agent understood what we are about and what we can offer as well. It was all really positive.

“We speak the truth. The evidence is there and we practice what we preach.

“All he can do, like everyone else, is perform as well as he can and see where that takes us and takes him.”