Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has been interested in Spanish trialist forward Dani Lopez for three years.
Attacker Lopez impressed in Tuesday night’s 5-0 win against Highland League side Forres Mechanics at Mosset Park, and although he did not get on the scoresheet, was influential in setting up Inverness’ first three goals.
The 29-year-old came through the academy system at La Liga side Atletico Madrid, and also played for Getafe and Espanyol’s B teams prior to making the move to English football with Stevenage Borough in 2012.
It was during his spell with then English League 1 side Boro that he first caught the eye of Hughes during the Caley Jags’ manager’s short-lived time in charge at Hartlepool, with Lopez going on to have loan spells with Aldershot Town and Barnet.
Lopez was most recently with La Roda, who play in the Spanish third tier, with his fine 45 minute performance for Caley Jags on Tuesday his first action for several weeks.
Hughes was impressed with the performance, and is keen to field the attacker again in Caley Thistle’s next friendly at home to Championship side St Mirren on Saturday.
Hughes said: “He’s another one that has been about. He has a great pedigree from when he was a younger player.
“He has played in the lower leagues in England for Stevenage and Barnet. I came up against him when I was manager down at Hartlepool, and Greg Tansey played with him.
“His technique and talent has never been in danger. He comes with a wealth of experience. With his touches and movement against Forres, he never did himself any harm.
“He’s not done anything for six weeks. So to train on Tuesday morning and then give me 45 minutes, I was absolutely delighted.
“Technically, he’s a very talented footballer. Hopefully he will still be with us on Saturday and we can see him against tougher opposition, and we will assess him from there.”
Inverness’ win against Mechanics continued their preparations for next Thursday’s Europa League second round home tie against FC Astra.
Lopez was not the only trialist to feature, with former Plymouth Argyle midfielder Oliver Norburn and former Havant and Waterlooville forward J. J. Hooper coming off the bench, the latter netting Caley Jags’ fifth goal.
Hughes is still to make decisions on the pair, but finally completed the signing of former Aldershot forward Jordan Roberts on a one-year contract prior to the match.
Roberts becomes Inverness’ second signing of the summer, after the capture of former Cowdenbeath midfielder Nat Wedderburn.