Notts County have pulled off what appears to be a transfer coup with the signing of Ruben da Rocha Rodrigues.
The 24-year-old is Portuguese, but has spent his entire career playing in Holland, scoring 12 goals in 29 appearances last season also registering 10 assists for Den Bosch, who play in the Dutch second division.
Rodrigues can play as a central striker, number 10 or attacking central midfielder.
“Before coronavirus stopped our season I was playing well,” he told the club. “At the beginning we had a bit of a sticky spell – we weren’t playing as well as we should have been – but around October I started scoring consecutively and after that I performed well in general.
"I have a very strong right foot and like to shoot, pass and dribble.”
Rodrigues, who speaks fluent English as well as Dutch and Portuguese, turned down several other options to sign for Notts.
“At first it was difficult because I had never played in a foreign country but the club have pushed and pushed, which has given me the confidence to be here.
“My agent also knows Enzio Boldewijn and Enzio told me if he was in my position he would come swimming to England! He says everything is good – the coaches, the staff, the pitch, the city.
“I’ve had a tour and I didn’t expect the stadium to be so big. We also saw the facilities at the training ground, which are amazing, the gym is nice and the indoor pitch is beautiful.”
He is the Magpies' first signing this summer, following their defeat in the National League play-off final to Harrogate Town.
Notts owners Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz have a hand in recruitment with their company Football Radar specialising in player analysis. Manager Neal Ardley and his team have extensively scouted the player.
Rodrigues fits the mould of players Notts now look to bring in, with Callum Roberts an example of their success last season.
Rodrigues’ arrival marks the club's first foray into the foreign transfer market since last summer’s takeover and the new signing is proud to be flying the flag for his country at Meadow Lane.
“To be the first Portuguese player in the history of the world’s oldest professional club is a great achievement,” he said.
