What motivates the latest Peterborough United signing and why he left his comfort zone to progress

The 6”0 centre-back arrives after an impressive season on loan at Bradford City in League Two from Huddersfield.

The 24-year-old appeared 34 times in the regular season to help the Bantams reach the play-offs.

He lost his position in the side for a period in the second half of the season; having picked up an eye injury on February 4 and missing three weeks, he did not start another game for the club until the home tie against Sutton on April 10, owing to a strong run of form for Mark Hughes’ side, but regained his spot for the crucial run-in.

He scored just one goal, but it was a 90th minute winner against Northampton in April so what is there not to like already Posh fans?

Crichlow played in both games as Bradford went down to eventual winners Carlisle in the play-off semi-finals, but his own performances earnt him rave reviews and the chance to step up a division.

He has the potential to be a key asset for Posh courtesy of the fact he is a prized commodity - a left-footed centre-half - a position the club tried to fill with Kell Watts last season, but injuries meant the best of the Newcastle defender wasn’t seen.

Crichlow can also fill in at left-back, but expect him to primarily play in the centre a position - like many - where Posh are in need of bodies with Ronnie Edwards almost certain to leave plus Frankie Kent and Josh Knight both on the transfer list.

Unusually for Posh Crichlow has only signed a two-year contract, but he appears to be a player in need of a home.

Crichlow joined Huddersfield as a 17-year-old from Enfield Borough in March 2017 following a trial. He only took up football for the first time in 2014. He was a contemporary of, and became great friends with, Ephron Mason-Clark who is now a teammate at London Road.

What followed was time in the Huddersfield B team, but also six loan spells away from the club at Bradford Park Avenue (National League North), Hartlepool (National League), Welling United (National League North), Swindon (League Two), Plymouth (League One) and Bradford (League Two) before being let go this summer.

His experience in League One with Plymouth was limited to just three matches (one start) and before last season, Swindon was the only side he reached double figures for in league appearances.

Crichlow is a player who is now looking to build on his breakout season and is someone who is not afraid of a challenge, telling Huddersfield’s media team: “I have grown up a lot since moving up north from London; it’s what I needed, even if things are scary or daunting, if you want to succeed you, sometimes, have to take a leap of faith and do things out of your comfort zone.”

Crichlow also attributes his focus and drive to be the best he can down to the loss of his mother in 2019 in awful circumstances.

He said: “I changed a lot as a person off the pitch after my Mum passed away.

"Football was the only thing that helped me escape grief following my mother's death. I started playing football because my mum introduced me to it, so I decided I need to do this not just for me but to make my mum proud.

"It made me sit back and realise there is a lot that I should be appreciating in life and that unfortunately you’re not here forever, so you have to make the most out of life while you are here.

“It really made me re-evaluate and focus on what I wanted most out of life and what I wanted to achieve, and that for me is being a footballer. I will do everything I can to continue to be a footballer and ensure that I am the best I can be.

“Everything I am going to do now is in my Mum’s name. She was and still is my inspiration.”

Unfortunately, the latest Posh signing left social media for a while last season after receiving death threats.

The cowardly messages were sent in the wake of Bradford’s 2-2 April draw with Gillingham. Oli Hawkins equalised for the Gills in the final minute, but some blamed Crichlow for a mistake that led to the opening goal.