Crewe Alexandra have completed the signing of a 22-year-old defender from League One, becoming the club's seventh summer signing.

James Connelly has signed a two-year deal at Mornflake Stadium after joining from Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The centre-back progressed through the youth ranks at Blackburn before joining Cardiff City in 2021.

James Connelly becomes Lee Bell's seventh summer signing (Crewe Alex).

Connelly joined The Pirates on loan in January 2022, helping the club win automatic promotion from League Two during his 24 appearances.

After making an impression, Connelly re-joined Bristol Rovers on a three-year permanent deal that summer.

The former Wales Under-21 international made a total of 73 appeasurances for The Gas, scoring on three occasions.

Connelly, who is left-footed, also played 17 times for Morecambe while on loan last term, netting twice.

Filip Marschall was Crewe Alex's sixth summer signing, with the goalkeeper joining on loan from Aston Villa (Crewe Alex).

A Crewe Alex statement read: "Everybody at Crewe Alexandra would like to welcome James and wish him all the best during his time with the Club."

Connelly joins Kane Hemmings, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Jack Lancaster, Max Sanders, Omar Bogle and Filip Marschall in signing for The Alex this pre-season.

READ MORE: Crewe hospital waiting on how £1bn rebuild will be affected following government review.

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