CREWE have pulled off a major coup by striking a deal with Luke Murphy with the midfield ace returning to Gresty Road seven years after his departure to Leeds.

Murphy, 30, who has spent the last two seasons at Bolton, is understood to have taken a significant wage cut to re-sign with the Railwaymen on a two-year contract and will be warmly welcomed by fans who have been clamouring on social media for a deal to be brokered.

He was invited to return to the fold for pre-season training by Dave Artell, who formed a lasting friendship with Murphy during the manager's playing stint at Crewe.

That has paid off and the Alsager-raised footballer is ready to make an impressive contribution to an engine room that needs experience added to it after the departure of Paul Green this summer.

Murphy featured against his former club Bolton at the University of Bolton Stadium last Friday, a warm-up game which Crewe won 3-0. In his previous stint with the club he made 186 appearances, scoring 12 times. A highlight was captaining the Wembley-winning side at the Johnstone's Paints Trophy Final in 2013.

Four years of Championship football followed after a £1m move to Leeds, including a loan campaign at Burton, who were also in the Championship at the time.

Crewe said: "Everyone at Crewe Alexandra would like to welcome Murph back to the Football Club."

He is expected to be included in the squad for tomorrow's Caraboa Cup first round behind-closed-doors tie at Gresty Road against Lincoln City.