Former Liverpool and Fulham striker Lauri Dalla Valle is confident of finding his best form with Crewe Alexandra.

The Finnish striker, who signed an 18-month contract with Crewe earlier this month, has spent time playing in Norway, Belgium and Italy since his two-month loan spell at Gresty Road in 2012/13.

He told The Sentinel: "There's been ups and downs certainly since leaving England, but that's part of football, and I feel like I've come back stronger.

"Having played in other countries you tend to pick up things from different football cultures, and overall I feel it's improved me a lot.

"At the moment I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and I'm looking forward to getting back to playing football again."