SPANISH stars Jose Lapoujade, Ander Del Alamo and Alejandro-Adrian Santiago will remain at Oxford City for another year after agreeing new deals with the club.

The trio arrived at City last summer as part of a five-strong Spanish contingent, which also included Javier Rodriguez and Salva de la Cruz, who are not due to return, and now look set to feature in City’s forthcoming debut season in National League South.

They will be joined by further Spanish imports following a scouting and recruitment drive last week by general manager Justin Merritt, assistant manager Danny Nicholls, head coach Enrique Guillen and coach Mark Jones.

“We went to a few different places around Spain, where we held trials and showcase sessions for Spanish players,” said Merritt.

“It was a great experience and it was good for us as a management team to get our plans together and share ideas for the coming season.

“We viewed more than 40 players over the space of a few days and there are two or three that were of such a high calibre that we’re definitely looking to bring them over.”

Despite the continuing influx of foreign players into the City side, Merritt said offering opportunities to young local players is a priority.

He said: “Our Spanish players will be training every day with the young players, which can only be good for their development.

“There have been some big structural changes at the club in the past year to encourage that pathway.

“We’ve made a decision to go for a smaller squad this season, so we need those young players to step up if there are injuries or suspensions.

“We’re looking for better quality training for our young players, better integration with the first team and more opportunities to play first team football.”

City’s youth side reached the third round of the FA Youth Cup last season, with teenagers Amer Awadh and Kaylem Patterson being rewarded with senior contracts as a result.

Defender Paul Stonehouse and forward Marlon Jackson have also agreed deals to keep them at the club for the season, but midfielder Darren Mullings has left for Southern League Premier Division side Paulton Rovers after turning down a reduced contract offer from City.

Merritt added: “It’s a difficult situation, because he probably wanted a better contract than we were able to offer him, taking into consideration that he’s had a lot of problems with injury.

“He did have the opportunity to stay at the club, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”