FORMER Oxford City striker Felipe Barcelos has joined Evo-Stik Southern League side Banbury United.

The 24-year-old signed for Italian Serie D side ASD Santhia last summer, but tweeted in December that he would be returning to England due to personal reasons.

After receiving international clearance this afternoon, the Brazilian is set for his Puritans debut at Tiverton Town in Division 1 South & West tomorrow.

Manager Mike Ford, who handed Barcelos his City debut during his tenure at Marsh Lane, signed the striker using the supporters' Spencer Villa Fund, set up to supplement the club's playing budget.

Ford said: "This is a great initiative and I have been looking for the right player on which the supporters fund should be used.

"I have known Felipe for a long time and I am sure he is a player who can contribute a lot to the team as we look to push on into the play-off places in the second half of the season."