Doncaster Rovers man ends second spell with club - heads to League Two side on free transfer
Ian Lawlor's time at Doncaster Rovers is over after the goalkeeper agreed to join League Two side Crewe Alexandra.
The 31-year-old was in his second spell at the Eco-Power Stadium having initially played for the club between 2017 and 2021 before returning in the summer of 2023.
He has joined Crewe on a permanent basis on a free transfer, signing an initial 18-month contract with the option of that being extended. The former Manchester City goalkeeper made 108 appearances for Rovers over two spells, the most recent of which was on New Year's Day in the draw with Bolton. He was understudy for the most part of his latest stint in South Yorkshire but had battled his way back into Grant McCann's thinking this season, twice wrestling the league starting role away from loan stopper Thimothee Lo-Tutala.
Arguably the stand-out moment of his 11 appearances this season came up at Middlesbrough back in August when he produced some superb saves during a 4-0 League Cup win.
After repelling all that Boro's expensively-assembled side threw his way, Lawlor deserved his moment but was far too modest to lap up any kind of praise.
"It's my job," was his almost Roy Keane-esque response. "It's what I'm there to do. I need to be ready to do my job. I know I've not played a lot but I need to be ready when called upon."