CRAWLEY boss Steve Evans has revealed the role Albion goalkeeper Michel Kuipers had in the signing of highly-rated defender Sam Rents.

Rents became one of Evans' first new additions of the summer when he joined last week following his release from the Seagulls.

Evans likes to do his homework on any potential signing before he sits around the negotiating table and he had no hesitation about snapping up Rents after speaking to Albion's Dutch stopper.

Evans said: "I like to check up on what a player is like on and off the pitch as much as I can and I spoke to Michel Kuipers about Sam.

"I had Michel on loan when I was at Boston and he is a fantastic bloke and tells it like it is.

"When I asked what he thought of Sam he said just two words - sign him'. Nothing else, just that and that told me everything I needed to know."

Coup Rents was a surprise inclusion among Albion's released players, having impressed supporters during the 30 League appearances he made over the last two seasons.

The 20-year-old was expected to attract interest from a number of League clubs and Evans reckons he has pulled off a coup by bringing the left-back to Broadfield Stadium.

He said: "We asked for him a couple of times on loan last season which didn't happen and when Dean (Wilkins) told us he would be available we got straight on it.

"I feel he will progress further and will be a tremendous addition.

"He could go up the League again and earn us a bit of money.

"We worked hard to convince him because obviously he wanted to stay in the League and has ambitions to go back there.

"But he needs to play football at his age and get a bit more experience and this is a good move for him."

Evans did not hang around to bring former Crawley favourite Chris Giles back to the club either once he had seen his face.

Giles, who had a year-long spell at Reds before leaving due to the club's financial problems in 2006, joined on the same day as Rents along with experienced striker Steve Fletcher following his release from Forest Green.

Evans said: "When I saw his nose I knew he was the type of defender I wanted.

"It was pointing in about five different directions, it was more of a road junction than a nose.

"He is a player supporters and managers love because he puts himself in front of anything.

"Ever since we lost Pablo Mills we have had a weakness in the central defensive area so signing Chris Giles will be very good for us.

"Everyone I have spoken to says he is dignified off the pitch and an admirable young man."

Evans continued his signing spree this week with the captures of midfielder Simon Weatherstone and striker Danny Forrest and says he wants three more players to complete his squad.