Scott Shearer: Crewe bring in goalkeeper as first summer signing

Crewe will be the 10th club Shearer has played for in his career

Crewe Alexandra have made their first summer signing by bringing in experienced keeper Scott Shearer.

The 33-year-old, 6ft 3in Scotsman, released by League One play-off winners Rotherham United at the end of last season, has agreed a two-year contract.

Shearer, who is keen to develop his coaching skills, will work closely with teenager Ben Garratt, who ended last season as the Alex's number one.

Crewe have also given an extended, six-month deal to winger John Johnston.

The youngster, first signed on January deadline day from non-league neighbours Leek Town, Alex assistant manager Neil Baker's old club, has been given more time to prove himself.

Johnston, 19, was loaned back to Leek following his move but carried on training at Crewe to be further assessed by the Alex coaching staff.

Shearer first came to England at the age of 23 when he joined Coventry City from Scottish Third Division side Albion Rovers in May 2003.

Since then, he has made 236 Football League appearances for Coventry, Rushden & Diamonds, Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Crawley Town and Rotherham United - where he has spent the last two seasons.

He also made 40 appearances in the Conference, first with Wrexham, then with Crawley - who he helped to promotion to the Football League in 2011 - before following his manager Steve Evans to Rotherham a year later.

He effectively takes over the role filled by Steve Phillips, his former rival for a place at Bristol Rovers.

Phillips, 35, who was also the Alex's goalkeeping coach, had been contemplating retirement at the end of this season after damaging his shoulder and has now taken up a role as one of the Academy coaches at Premier League runners-up Liverpool.