Crawley Town snap up Cogan at last

Attacking midfielder Barry Cogan has become Crawley Town's fifth new signing of the summer after joining on a free transfer from Grays Athletic.

The capture of the 23-year-old brings to an end a long pursuit by Reds boss Steve Evans, who tried to sign Cogan three times last season.

Crawley assistant manager Paul Raynor said the club were "delighted" to have secured Cogan's services, and believes the player's versatility will be an asset to the squad.

"We have like Barry for a long time, he played against us for Barnet when we were at Boston United and Steve has seen him play a few times for Millwall," said Raynor.

"He is a technically good footballer and can play anywhere across midfield or at full-back, and in a small squad we need that versatility."

Cogan has signed a one-year contract with Crawley, with the Reds' location proving important to the south London based midfielder.

He also has Football League experience having played for Gillingham and Millwall, making a substitute appearance for the Lions in the 2004 FA Cup Final against Manchester United.

Evans said he made three attempts to prise the player from Grays last season but that the Essex club's chairman Mick Woodward was "having none of it".

While Crawley succeeded in bringing Cogan to the Broadfield Stadium, they could not tempt Stacy Long to join from Ebbsfleet United.

The midfielder signed for Stevenage Borough last week and Raynor admitted that although Crawley were interested in Long, they were priced out by the FA Trophy winners.

"We made an enquiry about Stacy Long but we couldn't afford him - simple as that," he said.

"We have to live in the real world. We liked Stacy but Stevenage were offering him more money. But we are happy with the business we've done."

Raynor added that he and Evans were happy with the signings made so far in the close season, having filled their "priority positions", but hinted there may be more new faces.

"There are a couple of people we like but they have other options," said Raynor.

"At the moment, we'd be happy if the season started tomorrow. We have a nice mixture of players from last season and new faces that should help us gel. We are still looking for a reserve goalkeeper which is ongoing, and we have one or two irons in the fire."

Crawley Town's new reserve team have been entered into the Totesport Combination League Central Division for next season, alongside Aldershot Town, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Eastbourne Borough, Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Millwall and QPR.