Cheltenham Town FC

Craig, 25, can play both at left back and on the left hand side of midfield and his loan deal here at the Abbey Business Stadium will see him through until Wednesday 1 January 2014.

Mark Yates revealed exclusively to www.ctfc.com earlier today that he was hopeful of another signing within 48 hours but the loan was completed quickly and Mark is confident that Craig will be a solid signing for the club.

"It's a good signing for us," said Mark.

"This nearly happened a few weeks ago but we held fire. With a bit of prudence and playing around with the money, we realised we had the chance to bring him in. We wanted to take a chance and myself and Neil have seen him a few times already. I think the fans will be excited by him because he's direct, he'll bomb on and he will create. 

"We're trying to make this squad as competitive as possible and he will add to that. There were a number of other clubs interested, including a few League One teams, so we are happy to have brought him in.

"Neil speaks to John Askey (Macclesfield manager) quite a lot and they're disappointed they have had to let him go because of their financial plight. We'll take a look at him, he'll take a look at us and we'll go from there. I've spoken to Craig and he is desperate to play football in the Football League. He is hungry for it."

Craig started his career with Charlton Athletic and spent five years with the club before enjoying spells at Eastleigh and East Thurrock. He made the move to Welling United in May 2008 but he was soon on the move again when Peterborough United paid a report £10,000 fee for his services in October 2008. He left the Posh a year later having made no appearances and linked up with Grays Athletic. He made 12 appearances for Grays in the first half of the 2009-10 season but then moved onto Farnborough in January 2010. 

He played 67 games for Farnborough in total before joining Havant & Waterlooville and he stuck with the club for most of the season before joining Sutton United in February 2012. He left Sutton in the summer of 2012 and joined Macclesfield Town on a short term deal but that was extended by the club following impressive performances in the first half of their Conference Premier campaign. He made 46 appearances for Macclesfield last season but the club's ongoing financial plight, coupled with Craig's desire to play in the Football League, has led to him joining Cheltenham Town this afternoon on a loan deal which will see him through until January.

The Robins will take on Gloucester City this weekend in the first home pre-season friendly of the summer and Craig Braham-Barrett will be available.