Experienced Croft Signs For Southport

The experienced midfielder started his career at Manchester City where he made twenty-eight Premier League appearances.

He moved to Norwich City and later Derby County – making 146 Championship appearances, also spending time at Huddersfield, St Johnstone and Oldham Athletic on loan – featuring in an Emirates FA Cup Fourth round win over Liverpool for the latter.

He then returned to Oldham on a permanent basis in 2013 where he won the fans` player of the season award before going back to St Johnstone and picking up a Scottish Cup winners` medal as a late substitute.

Croft represented England from under-16 to under-20 level, and captained the England under-18 side. He also played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships held in the United Arab Emirates

Manager Alan Lewer told southportfc.net: “Lee trained with us last night. He’s a great addition to the squad and we know he’s a quality player.”

“We’ve given Lee a short-term contract, he’ll be part of the squad but will need some games to reach full fitness. He did have some offers inside the Football League that involved moving away from home but he wants to stay close to his family. But we know, and we’ve said, we need to add, and we need to strengthen, and a player of Lee’s experience is a good signing for us”.

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