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Crewe have signed midfielder Anthony Grant after Stevenage released him from his contract by mutual consent.

The 26-year-old made 45 appearances in his debut season for Boro last term, but was placed on the transfer list in May to reduce the club's wage bill.

And he has now moved to Gresty Road on a two-year deal in the wake of former captain Luke Murphy's move to Leeds.

"He's not going to be Luke Murphy, and I don't want him to be," Alex boss Steve Davis told 91�ȱ� Radio Stoke.

"Replacing him was going to be virtually impossible with the resources we've got available at this football club.

"But we've certainly brought a player in with a lot of experience in this division. He's technically decent and he's a great athlete who works very well. He'll add something different to the group."

The former England under-19 international, who was also a target for Port Vale, came through the youth system at Chelsea before leaving for Southend in 2008, where he made over 150 appearances in four years.

Davis revealed that Crewe's style of play was what attracted Grant to the Alex with a year still left in his contract at Broadhall Way.

"He's taken a hit a little bit to come here, but he's excited and looking forward to coming up here to work at this football club.

"He's not come for money, that's for sure, he's come to play attractive football," Davis added.