Crewe Alexandra sign Brighton defender Ed Turns and re-sign Charlie Kirk

Ed Turns has featured for Brighton twice in the EFL Cup

Crewe Alexandra have made two deadline day signings, bringing in Brighton defender Ed Turns on loan and re-signing striker Charlie Kirk.

Turns, 21, was recalled from his previous loan with League One side Leyton Orient, while Kirk, 26, was a free agent after leaving Charlton Athletic before Christmas.

Youth product Kirk helped the Alex win promotion to League One in 2020.

After making his debut in February 2016, he scored 32 goals for Crewe.

But, since leaving Gresty Road for Charlton in August 2021, he has netted only six more, either for the Addicks, or in loan spells at Blackpool and Burton Albion. His new Crewe deal is until the end of the season.

Welshman Turns had made 17 appearances for Orient this season in his second spell at Brisbane Road, having first joined the East London side on loan in January 2023 and helping them win promotion to League One.

The Wales Under-21 international has made just two first-team appearances for Brighton, neither of them in the Premier League.

Crewe, who reportedly also failed in a bid to sign Crawley midfielder Ronan Darcy, are down on numbers with four players on the long-term injury list.

Midfielders Jack Powell (knee) and Owen Lunt (back) remain out, while defender Zac Williams has aggravated his ankle injury in training, but Joel Tabiner, who has been sidelined since October with an ankle injury, has stepped up his rehabilitation programme.

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