Assistant manager delighted to have got another one across the line as rebuild continues.

Lee Bell says that the club’s latest acquisition, the midfield playmaker Charlie Colkett ‘comes highly recommended’ after a fantastic upbringing in the Chelsea Academy system.

Colkett twice won the FA Youth Cup at Stamdford Bridge, but like a lot of promising young players at that elite level, he had to move elsewhere in search of regular first-team football.

A succession of loan moves in the EFL was followed by a successful period in Finland with Ostersunds FK.

After ending last season with Cheltenham, the 25-year-old is aiming to really kick start his career with Crewe Alexandra.

Bell is delighted that the club have confirmed their fourth singing of a busy summer so far.

The club’s assistant manager told us: “Charlie is a really good player. He was in the Chelsea youth system and played for England at various age groups as well. He was a high flier as a youngster but had to go into the EFL and to Finland to play regularly. That shows that side of his character as well to move abroad at such a young age and handle that.

“He would probably be the first to say that his career hasn’t developed as well as he would have liked so far but he still has a lot of time on his side. He comes highly recommended and we like how he is brave on the ball and wants to play forward and find teammates in the final third of the pitch.

“He is just a really good footballer and a good guy as well. When we had conservations with him, he was impressive. He was even prepared to have zoom meetings with us whilst on his holiday. He was eager to come and be part of what we want to achieve.

“Charlie will offer a nice blend to the midfield alongside Conor (Thomas). They are different types and he will bring that balance to what we want from the centre of the pitch. Looking at it, I think we have two really good players and we will use the pre-season to implement the style we want for the new season.

“Like all the others lads we have signed, we want to make them feel comfortable and settled here. We will help Charlie as much as we can from his move from the South. The sooner he feels settled and a home, the more he can focus on his football and we believe that is really important too.”