CREWE Alexandra have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old striker Daniel Udoh for an undisclosed fee.

Udoh signed on the dot at Gresty Road after the departure from non-league club Ilkeston FC.

The deal will see Udoh stay at the Football League club until 2018.

The highly rated striker has had spells at non-league clubs such as Kidderminster Harriers, Worcester City, Wingate Finchley and Grays Athletic.

On international terms, Udoh has represented the Nigeria under 17s side.

The new signing joins the club at desperate times as the Railwaymen are fighting for League One survival with the conclusion of the season getting ever so closer.

This Easter weekend is a busy one for the South Cheshire club as they start off with a trip to Sheffield United on Good Friday before hosting Bradford on Easter Monday.

The Alex manager Steve Davis is open to Udoh making an appearance before the end of the season, saying: “Neil Baker has told me he is ahead of some of the younger players, so if that is the case then he has every chance of being involved before the end of the season.

“We’ll see how he does in training and if he can perform well then I am not against playing him.

“Two years is a good time period for him to develop. It may take him some time to adjust to the full-time training and what is expected but he is a confident lad and he comes from a nice background. We met his family and he is determined to do well.

“He is two-footed, he can shoot with both feet which is a great advantage and he has a great attitude.”

Udoh will be jumping up to four tiers after playing for Ilkeston in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

Ilkeston boss Andy Watson gave the youngster huge praise after hearing the news one of the team’s key players was off to start a new chapter.

He said: "Dan deserves this move as he's an extremely hard-working player with a great attitude.

"He's remained based in Hertfordshire whilst with us and makes the drive to Ilkeston several times a week, which shows his dedication to the cause.

"We're all delighted for Dan and wish him every success with Crewe, where I firmly believe he could break into the first team very quickly."

Udoh’s shirt number will be 39 for the remainder of the season.