FORMER Oxford City striker Felipe Barcelos has joined Evo-Stik Southern League side Banbury United.

The 24-year-old signed for Italian Serie D side ASD Santhia last summer, but tweeted in December he was returning to England due to personal reasons.

The move to Banbury was thanks to the supporters’ Spencer Villa Fund, set up to supplement the club’s playing budget.

Ford, who signed the Brazilian when in charge at City, said: “This is a great initiative and I have been looking for the right player on which the supporters fund should be used.”

Barcelos missed out on his debut last weekend, after the Puritans’ game at Tiverton Town was postponed due to a watrerlogged pitch.

He will get an early chance to face City, though, after Banbury were handed a trip to Marsh Lane in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final draw.