DAVE Artell praised Charlie Kirk for his "terrific service" to Crewe as the attacker sealed a move to Charlton.

The details of Kirk's transfer to the Alex's League One rivals, for what is an undisclosed fee, were finalised today after what the Alex boss revealed had proved a difficult final week for the 23-year-old at the club.

Artell bade the Winsford-raised footballer a fond farewell to the Valley, while stressing he was dedicated to ensuring the club's top assets departed for a transfer fee, like Kirk has.

"Charlie goes with my blessing as he's been a terrific servant to this club and he deserves the opportunity to play wherever he so wishes," said the Crewe manager.

"He's had some really tough days with stuff in his personal life.

"We have nurtured and developed Charlie and he has helped us to get into League One - now he has decided to seek pastures new."

The Academy product made 203 appearances for Crewe after making his debut in February 2016. In all he struck 32 goals in his six seasons with the club, but set up many more, regularly featuring high in the statistics tables for assists.

Charlton made a move for him in last January's transfer window when Lee Bowyer was the Addicks' boss.

And their current manager, Nigel Adkins, revealed that interest had never gone away last weekend after Kirk had been left out of Crewe's opening game with Cheltenham.

Adkins said: "I am delighted that Charlie Kirk is joining us. He is a very talented and exciting, young, forward-thinking player and I'm really looking forward to working with him over the coming years."

Artell explained how he will be trying to protect Crewe's future interest in the market.

"Charlie has gone for a transfer fee which is how this club survives and grows. And I will endeavour to make sure no-one leaves here without a fee," he stressed.

"Ryan Wintle got lucky last year because Josh Lundstram got injured otherwise he wouldn't have played.

"My role is to develop players for the first team and I've got to make sure this football club produces the next one along [after Kirk]. That is why when we knew Harry Pickering was going we played Rio Adebisi at right-back to give him experience."

And the Alex boss stressed: "Charlie has been open and transparent with us all the way through [his transfer dealings]."

Kirk told Charlton's official website: "I am excited to get it over the line. I watched the [Charlton's] game on TV on Saturday night and you could just feel it from there, it was unbelievable. So I can't wait to walk out for the first time in front of all the fans."

And in a personal message to Alex fans on Twitter he said: "The memories I have made I will never forget. From signing my first contract at the age of seven to making my first team debut at 18, then going on to make over 200 appearances with a promotion to go with it.

"I just want to thank the gaffer and the rest of the coaching staff who have been great to me over the years, also to my team mates past and present who have been faultless.

"Lastly the fans...from start to finish you have stuck by me through the good times and the bad and I will be forever grateful for that. All the best for the future. UP THE ALEX!"

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