EXPERIENCED attacking midfielder Shaun MacDonald has become Crewe Alex's third signing of the summer.

The former Swansea, Bournemouth and Wigan player, now 33, has penned a two-year deal at the Mornflake Stadium the day after Ryan Wintle signed for Championship Cardiff City.

Welshman MacDonald helped the Cherries into the Premiership and featured in the top flight too after starting out at his hometown club back in 2005.

With four senior Wales caps to his name and record appearances at under-21 level, featuring alongside his country's golden crop including Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, MacDonald has plied his trade no lower than League One.

He was released by Rotherham at the end of last term.

Wintle's inevitable departure was announced last night when the Bluebirds revealed the midfielder, out-of-contract at the Alex, had signed a three-year deal at the Cardiff City Stadium to end an impressive six-year career in South Cheshire.

Meanwhile, Crewe will travel to Hartlepool, newly-promoted from the National League, in the Caraboa Cup (week beginning August 9) after today's first-round draw.

The early stages of the Papa John's Trophy were also thrashed out today with Crewe, assigned to Northern Group C alongside League One rivals Wigan and Shrewsbury, joined by Wolves under-21s.