Oxford City have agreed terms with Spanish goalkeeper Salva de la Cruz.

The 26-year-old was due to sign last night, and if City get international clearance in time he will come into the squad for the derby against Brackley Town at Marsh Lane tomorrow.

Salva, as he is known in sporting circles, joins from Club Deportivo Castellon, of the Spanish third division.

He signed his first contract with Valencia at the age of 16, having representing the Spanish Under 17 team in international tournaments.

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He won promotion to Segunda B (Spanish second division) with Valencia CF Mestalla, and was third-choice keeper for the first team for three years.

He then joined Albacete in the third division, before moving to his home town club Deportivo Castellon for the 2012-13 season.

City general manager Justin Merritt has been to Spain with coach Enrique Guillen to see Salva play.

“I went to watch him and he is very athletic,” he said. “He will be a good addition for us.

“He has come over and had a couple of great training sessions and I have high hopes for him.

“Salva has a very good pedigree. He was a Spanish Under 20 international in the same side as Juan Mata.”

Merritt believes Salva will help Mark Scott’s development, and said that even if his new recruit gets clearance in time, he expected to stick with his current No 1 tomorrow.

Defender Lee Henderson faces a fitness test after picking up a slight hamstring strain, while Declan Benjamin and Kiko Insa are suspended.

Merritt, who played for Brackley under manager Phil Lines, added: “In terms of the game it is good for local interest.

“We really respect Brackley. They have been a strong Conference North side for a few years now and it will be a tough game.”

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City: from Scott, Henderson, Stonehouse, Del Alamo, Lapoujade, Santiago, Isaac, Pond, Jackson, Rodriguez, Winters, Yussuf, Barcelos, Brown, Mullings, Wilson, Salva.

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