Shrewsbury swoop for Crewe's Matt Tootle

The 24-year-old underwent a stringent medical yesterday and has agreed a two-year contract at Greenhous Meadow after turning down a new deal at Gresty Road.

"I'm delighted to sign Matt," said Mellon. "He's a good footballer with a great engine who they were talking about being rated at £1m a year ago before he let his contract run down.

"He went off the radar but we've continued to watch him and watch what was happening with him, so this has been ongoing for quite a while.

"He can player right-back or left-back, he's played a lot of games for Crewe at left-back during his time there.

"He's a very technically gifted player who always wants to get on the ball all the time and he has that important experience."

Tootle has played 199 League games for Crewe and 224 in all competitions since making his debut in November 2009 in a 2-2 draw at Northampton.

Winning promotion to League One via the play-offs in 2011-12 and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2012-13, he swept the board as Alex's Player of the Season in 2013-14.

Injury limited him to 18 games last season, but he racked up 40 or more appearances in four consecutive campaigns from 2010-14 and has played three seasons in League One after three in League Two.

Mainly a right-back, Tootle can also operate at left-back and played at left midfield in their successful play-off campaign in 2012.

"He's also another captain to add to the other leaders we've brought into the team and that can only be better for the mentality of the whole group.

"Like a lot of Crewe players they always rack up a lot of games from an early age as Crewe always play them as soon as they come out of the youth team if they think they are good enough.

"It's fantastic we can get in a lad of that experience and with the leadership abilities and qualities.

"He's always impressed us when we've spoken to him and he always asks the right questions.

"He cares about where his career goes from now on and wants to make sure the people who he works with care about that and help him to get better."

Tootle follows Mat Sadler, Martin Woods, Abu Ogogo, Shaun Whalley and Darren McKnight through the door as Town plan for League One following their automatic promotion.