Morris adds experienced defender to his squad ahead of new season.

Centre-half Rod McDonald has become Crewe Alexandra’s fifth summer signing following his release from Carlisle United. The Liverpool-born McDonald has signed a 12-month contract.

The defender made 66 appearances for the Cumbrians over the last two seasons in League Two and has not hesitated in joining his hometown club.

McDonald, 30, began his youth career with Stoke City and Manchester City and whilst with the Potters was loaned out to our local neighbours Nantwich Town.

He moved on to Oldham Athletic but was again loaned out to Stafford Rangers and Nantwich to provide him with game time. After failing to make the breakthrough at Boundary Park, he moved to Welsh side Colwyn Bay in 2011 before resigning on a permanent basis for Nantwich.

His impressive performances for the Dabbers saw him move on to Hereford and then Telford before Northampton took him back in the Football League in 2015.

He spent two successful seasons with the Cobblers, winning promotion from League Two in 2016. He repeated the feat at his next club Coventry City through the play-offs in 2017-18, but was an unused substitute at Wembley as the Sky Blues defeated Exeter City 3-1.

A move to AFC Wimbledon saw him make a further 46 appearances in League One before he joined Carlisle in 2020. Although the interruption of Covid came, McDonald still managed to play 66 for the League Two side over the past two seasons.

McDonald made 35 of those appearances last season, scoring his only goal for the club in a 1-0 win over Scunthorpe United on New Year’s Day.

Everyone at Crewe Alexandra would like to welcome Rod to the Football Club.