David Artell scored for Morecambe in a 4-3 win over Crewe in April

Crewe Alexandra have completed the signing of former Morecambe defender David Artell on a free transfer.

Artell, who has agreed a two-year contract at the Alexandra Stadium, scored eight goals in 42 games for the Shrimps last season.

The 29-year-old played 129 matches in three years at Christie Park, having been released by Chester in May 2007.

Artell becomes Crewe's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Antoni Sarcevic and Lee Bell.

Alex manager Dario Gradi had been keen to add another defender to his squad after seeing his team concede 73 league goals in League Two last season.

Artell started his career with Rotherham, and had spells with Shrewsbury, Mansfield and Chester before moving to Morecambe in 2007, immediately after their promotion into the Football League.

He helped Morecambe reach the League Two play-offs for the first time in their history, although they were defeated 7-2 on aggregate by Dagenham and Redbridge in the semi-final.

However, Artell did have the honour of scoring the last ever goal at Christie Park in the second leg, which Morecambe won 2-1.

He also found the net in Morecambe's 4-3 home victory over Crewe in April.

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