Doncaster Rovers sign Marc De Val Fernandez

Doncaster Rovers have signed former Real Madrid C midfielder Marc De Val Fernandez on a two-year deal.

Fernandez, 23, is new manager Paul Dickov's first signing for the newly promoted Championship club.

Real bought the Girona-born defensive midfielder from Espanyol in 2009.

Rovers manager Paul Dickov told BBC Radio Sheffield: "He's good on the ball, as you would expect playing for a club like Real Madrid, but he's not afraid to stick his foot in either."

Fernandez represented the world famous Galacticos in the C team before moving on to CD Olimpic de Xativa in the Spanish equivalent to the Championship.

Dickov continued: ""Marc is a player that I know really well. I nearly signed him two years ago when I was at Oldham; he had a year left on his contract at Madrid and we were told that we could get him in on a free but there was a training compensation that was going to be around £600,000-£700,000, which showed how much they valued him.

"He left Madrid and played in what is the equivalent to the Championship in Spain last year. I've watched him quite a lot and his attitude is first class. He has the potential to be a top, top player."

However Dickov said a second offer for Scunthorpe winger Mark Duffy had been rejected.

"He's a busy player who makes things happen, and he has a bit of steel about him as well, but we have a valuation of the player and we won't be held to ransom, so that's now on the backburner."

Dickov has also confirmed former Manchester City manager and Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton is his new number two, and Paul Gerrard, who worked with Dickov at Oldham, has replaced previous goalkeeping coach Lee Butler, who has left the club.