Cambridge United have completed the fourth new signing in a week by adding winger Felino Jardim to the squad.
He joins defender Phil Bolland, midfielder Jon Challinor and loanee forward Chris Jones as the recent additions to the squad.
It appeared that talks had broken down due to the failure of the Dutchman's representative and the club to agree terms over Jardim's free transfer, but a compromise has been reached and the pre-season trialist signed a one-year deal today.
Gary Brabin was delighted to tie up a deal for the 22-year-old released by Sparta Rotterdam at the end of last season, and he told cambridgeunited.com that football had triumphed over the 'stumbling block' revealed here last week.
"Felino has proved himself in pre-season, he's a good player who works hard and the fans liked him, and I've got high expectations of him," said the United boss.
"I think the key to this was that Felino knew that I liked him and he liked the way I work, and at the end of the day it was a footballing decision that outweighed anything else. In the end everyone met in the middle because they realised that Felino really enjoyed his time here and really wanted to play for me and Paul at Cambridge United."
A pacy, skilful winger with an eye for goal, Jardim adds further creative options and fits in well with Brabin's stated ambition to play fast attacking football.
"Everyone knows what he can do," confirmed the manager. "He can play on either flank, he's a good honest player, he's exciting and another good prospect who hopefully can develop here."
Jardim has been allocated squad number 20 and by his own request will wear his first name on the back of his shirt instead of his surname.
United's close-season signings to date are Lee McEvilly, Paul Carden, Andy Parkinson, Anthony Tonkin, Phil Bolland (short-term deal), Jon Challinor, Chris Jones (five-month loan) and Felino Jardim. Courtney Pitt also signed a new deal with the club after being released at the end of last season by ex-manager Jimmy Quinn.
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