CREWE have wrapped up a deal for former Aberdeen and Watford centre-half Tommie Hoban.

The 27-year-old checked into the Mornflake Stadium today (Thursday) and has signed a one-year contract with the option for an extension.

Hoban becomes Alex boss Dave Artell's fourth signing of the summer, following striker Chris Long, loan defender Kane Ramsay and midfielder Shaun McDonald through the door.

Starting off through Arsenal's Academy system, Hoban moved on to Watford where he established himself at the back for the Hornets and was part of the side clinching a Premiership place in 2015, although he was never to feature in the top flight himself.

He later had loan spells with Blackburn and Aberdeen, where he suffered a second serious knee injury. But he fought back to fitness to win a contract with Derek McInnes' side last summer.

Despite 44 appearances for the Dons in 2020/21 and a fourth-placed finish in the Scots Premier, new Pittodrie boss Stephen Glass chose to release the defender in May.

The 2021/22 League One campaign gets tantalising closer next week with the first warm-up game, the traditional trip to neighbours Nantwich Town, on the horizon on Sunday, July 11 (K.O 12)

There is then a double-header at both Witton Albion and Ashton United on July 14 before juicy visits from Wolves (July 17) and Stoke City (July 20), the latter fixture a fundraising match for Alex Academy keeper Ashton Hulme.

League Two Oldham offer opposition at Boundary Park on Tuesday, July 27 before a tough final pre-season test at Championship Huddersfield on Saturday, July 31, a week before the season kicks off (August 7) when newly-promoted Cheltenham pay a visit to the Mornflake Stadium.