NEWPORT County’s former striker Danny Crow has joined Conference North side Lowestoft Town in a player/coach role.

The non-league side have confirmed Crow’s capture just 24 hours after his Rodney Parade departure was confirmed.

Speaking about the signing, joint manager Ady Gallagher commented on Lowestoft’s website: "We're really, really pleased to welcome Danny to the club.

“He's a player who's played the whole of his career at higher levels of football, from Conference Premier and upwards to league football.

“The fact that Lowestoft Town are now signing players from League Two sides is testament to how far we've come as a club and what's encouraging is that Danny has identified that we're still a club that's progressing. We haven't got a massive budget and he's been incredibly accommodating with joining us and we're absolutely thrilled to sign him.”

As revealed by the Argus and confirmed by Gallagher, several clubs were interested in Crow.

There were more than a few clubs that were prepared to continue paying him at the rate he'd been getting paid but they weren't as local as we are", said Gallagher.

"Danny is a lad who grew up in Great Yarmouth and has obviously kept tabs on our progress. He's also found it really appealing to be able to move back home, play at this level in the prime of his career and play with players that he's friends with from his time in youth football at Norwich and throughout his career, such as Dan Gleeson at Cambridge United and Luton Town.

“He's also already got his foot in the door in regards to coaching at his previous club and he wants to continue that, so we're looking to get him involved in the youth coaching at this club and help us progress and develop our youth players here at Lowestoft Town.

"Sometimes when you talk with and negotiate with players you get a feel that there's sometimes a massive ego in the way but it was really encouraging to talk to Danny and he's been unbelievably understanding towards our situation.

“He fully understands that we're a club where everyone essentially gets paid similar money and that they're all fighting for the same cause. So it's brilliant to know that he's prepared to muck in with that and to come here and play for much less than he's been used to in his career. It really does speak volumes of the lad to hear that he's prepared to do that and to try and help our cause this season and beyond"

Crow has signed a contract with the club, passed a medical at the Crown Meadow and will be in the squad for Saturday's game at home to Hyde in the Vanarama Conference North. "As a club we're delighted to get a player in of his quality at the peak of his career. He's not even 29 yet and has had a fantastic career, so we're really looking to seeing him in a blue shirt on Saturday. I'm sure that he will give the dressing room and the boys a massive boost for the rest of the season" said Gallagher.

Crow told Argus Sport yesterday that he was excited about the challenge of joining a club where he’ll be able to continue towards his coaching qualifications with the aim of becoming a manager. “It’s going home and starting to think about the next chapter,” he said.