IT MIGHT come as a surprise to locals, but Dani Lopez insists he feels like he has landed in a little corner of his homeland rather than the sun-starved Highlands.

The former Atletico Madrid youth agreed a one-year deal with the Europa League qualifiers yesterday and told how he had been wowed by both the warmth of welcome and the continental-style football.

The 29-year-old 'wildcard' capture could be parachuted straight into action in Thursday night's second qualifying round home leg against Romanians FC Astra.

Lopez has been playing catch-up on fitness in pre-season. Currently the only natural striker in the first team running, though, the Madrid-born striker, more recently with Barnet and Stevenage, insists he is ready for what will be an historic evening.

"I'm very happy to complete my move here. I'm excited," he said. "This week the club play European football for the first time and it will be a massive occasion for all the supporters and everybody at the club.

"I hope to play in the game and help the team in any way I can - and I'm certainly ready if the manager needs me.

"I have seen right away the players are very good footballers. The training is all football, football, football - that's the manager's philosophy.

"It is like a little bit of Spain in the north of Scotland. I tweeted that to my one follower - Caley Thistle are the Spaniards of the north!

"Every one of the team likes to play with the ball at feet - it's perfect for me. The training is very similar to Spain, too, always with emphasis on working the ball.

"I know the Scottish game itself can be quite physical but it isn't a problem for me as I am quite big and strong myself."

Manager John Hughes, by necessity, looks certain to take a little gamble on Lopez given his experience and talent on the ball - and the dearth of alternatives.

The player, for his part, feels ready.

"I have been catching up a little bit on fitness, but now it is much better. I've worked hard with the players here," he stressed.

"In Spain, the season finished more than a month ago. All I had done in between, back in my home country, was some running work, but now it is better - I feel good."

Having impressed in pre-season matches, Lopez has also had a little bit of time to scout the area for a new home for his family.

"I absolutely love it here. The countryside is beautiful and the people, the staff are very friendly," he said. "The only thing that is lacking is that my family are not yet here. My wife and baby, they are coming here soon.

"My little boy, Enzo, is just nine months old and I have been missing him so much. I think it will be a good place for him to grow up.

"I'll be glad when we are all over here together, maybe next month, but I'm excited about this opportunity in my career.

"I certainly feel I can do well here and hopefully score some goals for the team."