Bell delighted that Williams commits his future to us.

Lee Bell believes that 18-year-old defender Zac Williams is in the ‘perfect place’ to continue his development. The young Welsh International signed his first professional contract with the club yesterday to round off a fantastic debut season at first team level.

Williams made his league debut away at Bolton Wanderers in November and didn’t look back. He went on to make 20 first team appearances and was the overwhelming winner of the club’s prestigious Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

Bell said of the young Welshman: “I am delighted that Zac and all the other boys have signed. I have a good relationship with them, having worked with them in the Academy and they are a good group of lads.

“I have a good relationship with Zac and his family and I think that allowed us to keep talking and iron out those one or two minor things on his contract. He is a good lad and he is in the best place to continue his development.

“When we spoke, it was more about next season. Where he was going to play and what we expected of him and I thought that was great. It was really positive and it was clear to me that he wanted to be part of what we want to achieve here and be a part of a successful Crewe team next season.

“He is a top talent. I think we all saw that from what he achieved last season and  this club is never going to stand in the way of a player if there is a chance for them to go on to bigger and better things when the time is right. That is the relationship and the trust we have with all our players.

“I am sure that in the future Zac will go on and play much higher but he is fully focussed on next season and making it a successful one.”