ENGLAND stopper Jamie Stevens has signed for Northwich Victoria.

The non-league international linked up with Steve King’s men on Saturday after his contract at Blue Square Premier promotion hopefuls Crawley was cancelled.

He has signed an 18-month contract.

“This is a massive coup for us,” said the Vics boss.

“Jamie is a player who was on the verge of moving into the Football League in the summer – now he’s here to help us stay up.”

The Boston-based defender, 19, had a trial with Ipswich before the current campaign but has dropped down the Reds’ pecking order in recent weeks.

Manager Steve Evans believes the deal is best for both clubs.

“It’s a good opportunity for Jamma to secure a new longer contract with his deal here running out in May,” he told Crawley’s official website.

“I can only think of positive things to say about him; he comes from a lovely family and he has been a credit to them.”

Stevens has managed only a handful of starts this season with Adam Quinn and Jake Wright ahead of him in Evans’ reckoning.

But King can see a solid future for Vics’ backline with Steve Robinson and skipper Simon Grand – who this week signed a new, one-year contract with the Blue Square Premier strugglers – alongside the latest new recruit.

“I think we’ll be a lot more secure in there now,” he said.

“I’m really excited about this signing, I hope the supporters will be as well.”