ARGENTINIAN midfielder Sergio Torres agreed a two year contract with Wanderers this week after chasing half way around the world to follow his dream.

He left his family behind in Mar Del Plata, flew 7,000 miles and spent a year with non-league Basingstoke in the hope of being spotted by a League Club.

The ambitious 24-year-old funded his year's stay with the part-time Hampshire club by taking a job as a shop assistant in Boots working from 7am to 1pm.

And his dedication paid off when his sparkling performance for Wycombe against Basingstoke in a pre-season friendly this summer caught the eye of Wanderers boss John Gorman.

The former England assistant manager invited Torres to train with Blues and this week the two clubs agreed a fee for the former Boca Juniors youth team player who was also interesting Leyton Orient and Aldershot.

Gorman said: "He's shown real hunger and ability and he needs that chance.

"I like his desire and I like what I see from him on the pitch.

"If he gets kicked, he just gets up and takes it. He can take a tackle, but he's creative as well and should score a goal or two."

And for Torres who could be included on the bench at Shrewsbury today - it is a dream come true.

He said: "I am so excited. I want to play professional football in England so badly.

"I have given up everything to do it. I have left my family behind, my sister and all my friends in Argentina.

"I have lost a lot for football. But I love football "Having come this far I am determined to make it. I know it is now or never.

"There were times when I was playing for Basingstoke that I wondered whether it was worth it. I always tried to play well because I never knew who was watching but sometimes it seemed as though it would not happen but Basingstoke told me not to give up."

And he is expecting plenty more hard work now that he has joined Wanderers.

He said: "I know it is going to be difficult to get into the team because they are very good players here."

But the player, who one day hopes to play in the Premiership, is determined to make it work and dreams of giving his dad a Christmas present of a trip to England to watch him play in the first team for Wycombe.

Torres first came to England to take a two week trial with Brighton. But when they rejected him he refused to give up and joined Basingstoke in the hope that someone would spot him.

He has been given the number 22 shirt and goes straight into the squad for today's trip to Shrewsbury.