The 29-year-old signed a teo-year-deal after rejectiong a new deal with League Two rivals Morecambe.
Artell held talks with Dario Gradi earlier on in the week and the Rotherham born defender decided to put pen to paper and will be looking to become a lynchpin to stop our leaky defence.
Artell started his career with his home town club of Rotherham United making his debut in 1998 for the Millers. During September 2002 he joined Shrewsbury Town on loan until the end of the season,
When his contract expired at Millmoor he then joined Mansfield Town and made 45 apperances over two seasons at Field Mill scoring 5 league goals.
In 2005 after two season at Mansfield Town Artell joined Chester City on a free transfer where he made 80 appearances for the Blues scoring 4 goals in the process.
Then in 2007 Artell joined League Two newboys Morecambe and went on to make an impressive 112 appeanaces for the Shrimpers over the three seasons and in the process scoring 14 league goals of which 8 came last season including on in the 4-3 win over Crewe at Christie Park.
Artell becomes Crewe's third summer signing after the club had signed Lee Bell and Antoni Sarcevic in May.