STANLEY new boy Erico Sousa is targeting a Football League debut after signing a deal until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old winger has impressed during a two-week trial at the Wham Stadium and, after his paperwork was completed, he goes straight into the squad for Tuesday night's trip to Mansfield.

Sousa, who was born in Portugal, spent a year with Manchester City's academy before signing for Barnsley and then spending a season in the Slovenia PrvaLiga.

He said: "I'm delighted to be here and playing again, so now I have to get my head down and hopefully get on the pitch and show what I have.

"Hopefully I will finally get to make my Football League debut. I want to do the best I can and bring good results to the club."

The Portugal Under-19 international says speed and skill are his best attributes and promises to fight for his place as Stanley look to move away from the League Two relegation zone.

"My best position is out wide. I'm quite quick and I like to think I've got something in my locker when it comes to skill," he said.

"I'll always work hard as well, that's the main thing.

"You've got to do that because full-backs tend to go forward which means I have to come back and help out the defence.

"I just have to work hard and get in the team.

"I'm not in the starting 11 at the moment so that's my main goal and see where it goes from there.

"There is competition but it's good because it makes you work harder and brings the best out of you."

Sousa admits he enjoyed his experience in Slovenia, where he played for NK Celje, although it was hard to adapt at first.

"It's a bit different," he admitted. "Language was a bit of a struggle but I started getting used to it and learned a few words myself.

"But football is still 11 v 11 so you get used to it.

"Back here I have family and friends around, which is better for me mentally, but I’ll still be working hard to establish myself."

The winger spent four year at Barnsley without making a first team appearances, but he says an old Tykes connection has helped him settle in to his new home.

He said: "The players are great. I know Jordan Clark from Barnsley so that made me feel at home.

"On the first day he got my involved with the lads and he made me feel welcome.

"I've been around this type of culture for a while so it is easy for me to fit in.

"I heard that they like to bring young players through here so I want to get my chance and hopefully I'll grab it with both hands."