Leiston have signed former Ipswich Town man Ross Crane on a two-year deal.

The 20-year-old winger/attacker has joined from fellow Step 3 Suffolk side, Needham Market, after his contract expired at Bloomfields.

“I’m really looking forward to starting the season and hopefully Leiston can go that one step further than they did last season,” Crane said.

“After having a meeting with the management at Leiston, I felt like this was the best option for me and I can’t wait to get going.”

Ross had previously played at AFC Sudbury and Bury Town before Ipswich Town snapped him up on a two-year deal at Portman Road in 2020.

He made his debut for Town as an 82nd-minute substitute in a 2-0 win over Gillingham in an EFL Trophy group stage tie in October that year.

Crane was subsequently released in 2022 and joined Needham, where he was a member of the Marketmen squad that reached the FA Cup first round before losing to League One Burton Albion.

“Ross is a huge signing for us,” Leiston joint first-team boss Chris Wigger said.

“We were in for him when he first joined Needham, but they beat us to it. He has been fantastic for them every time we have played them.

“Ross will add some extra power to our front line, and I know will be a huge favourite with the fans.

“From the first time I spoke to him I knew he would be a great player for us.”

Crane joins another former Ipswich Town man, Chris Casement, at Victory Road for the upcoming season. Skipper Seb Dunbar has also signed a two-year deal at the club, with more signing announcements expected in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Leiston striker Ben Fowkes has left the club to join Step 2 Peterborough Sports, who play in National North.