Spireites: Chesterfield snap up Scunthorpe United’s Jimmy Ryan

Chesterfield have signed midfielder Jimmy Ryan and are monitoring the situation of Southend United’s Ryan Cresswell.
Coventry City's Leon Clarke and Scunthorpe United's Jimmy Ryan battle for the ball during the npower Football League One match at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 9, 2013. See PA story SOCCER Scunthorpe. Photo credit should read: PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.Coventry City's Leon Clarke and Scunthorpe United's Jimmy Ryan battle for the ball during the npower Football League One match at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 9, 2013. See PA story SOCCER Scunthorpe. Photo credit should read: PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.
Coventry City's Leon Clarke and Scunthorpe United's Jimmy Ryan battle for the ball during the npower Football League One match at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 9, 2013. See PA story SOCCER Scunthorpe. Photo credit should read: PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.

Ryan was at the Proact Stadium this morning to put pen to paper on a one-year deal, with the option of a second year.

The 24-year-old is a free agent when his Scunthorpe United contract runs out at the end of June and had been encouraged by manager Brian Laws to seek a move, as the Iron prepare for life in League Two.

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The former Shrewsbury and Accrington Stanley man, who won two FA Youth Cups with Liverpool, has played more than 200 league games and scored 26 goals.

While at Accrington, Ryan played alongside Chesterfield assistant manager Leam Richardson but left for Scunthorpe before Paul Cook’s arrival.

He was restricted to 27 appearances during an injury-hit first season at Glanford Park, but went on to play 49 games in all competitions for the club last term.

The Irishman has scored twice against the Spireites in the past - for Scunthorpe in a 2-2 draw on New Year’s Eve 2011 and for Accrington in a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield in November 2008.

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Scunthorpe will not be entitled to compensation as Ryan is aged 24.

His arrival could have an impact on the future of Mark Randall and follows hot on the heels of Irish striker Eoin Doyle, who completed his move from Scottish Premier League side Hibernian on Friday.

Cresswell, meanwhile, is understood to be desperate for a move back north and has indicated he would welcome a move to Chesterfield.

Spireites manager Paul Cook is eager to add defensive reinforcements to his thin squad and is believed to be keen on bringing the former Bury and Rotherham United defender to the club.

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But he faces stiff competition for the 25-year-old from Fleetwood Town, who had a reported £50,000 bid rejected last week.

Shrimpers manager Phil Brown has stated the club will only listen to considerably improved offers for the defender who has a year left on his contract.

While a move for Swindon Town midfielder Alan Navarro now seems unlikely.