CREWE are poised to sign former Aberdeen defender Tommie Hoban, reports in Scotland suggest.

Hoban, 27, is a free agent after being released by the Dons last month.

Alex boss Dave Artell has prioritised defensive captures after the departures of Omar Beckles and Olly Lancashire left a gap.

Southampton youngster Kane Ramsay has already arrived on a season-long loan and can lay down a challenge for the right-back berth. But the Railwaymen are thin on the ground in the centre of defence with Luke Offord and Donervon Daniels their only experienced hands.

Crewe were linked with Northampton's out-of-contract central defender Lloyd Jones in May, but the 25-year-old joined newly-promoted Cambridge United earlier this month.

Now, according to the Daily Record, the Railwaymen are strongly tipped to sign former Watford centre-half Hoban, who joined Aberdeen on a one-year deal last summer after a previous spell on loan.

Meanwhile, the Alex have finalised fresh terms with Callum Ainley after several weeks of negotiations with the homegrown attacker, 23.

Ainley has penned a new two-year contract which will keep him at the Mornflake Stadium until 2023.

Crewe have revealed a nine-strong intake of Academy scholars. Those joining the club's under-18 ranks are Max Woodcock, Sam Crolla, Sam Bhatti, Zak Kempster-Down, Ty Webster, Owen Lunt, Harvey Washington, Marquise Martins and Matus Holicek.