Javier Favarel learnt the arts of midfield as he trained alongside Juan Sebastian Veron.

He was taken to the brink of top-flight Argentinean football by the man who became national team boss, Alex Sabella.

And his Whitehawk manager Pablo Asensio likens him in style and football intellect to Javier Mascherano.

His most recent club, Maldonado, are based close to the stunning Uruguayan resort of Punta del Este.

But Hawks’ new midfielder has revealed a trip to the less exotic surroundings of Bramall Lane was the inspiration behind his dream to come to England.

Perhaps just as surprisingly, it was the way Veron – hardly a big hit at Manchester United – spoke in glowing terms of English football which reinforced his view that this island was the footballing place to be.

So he landed in Brighton, thanks to contacts with Whitehawk boss Pablo Asensio.

Tomorrow, away to Weston-super-Mare in the National League south, he takes the first steps on a trail Asensio believes could lead to the Championship.

Favarel had seven formative years at Estudiantes, in Asensio’s home city of La Plata, and won the second division title in Uruguay with Sud America, playing a starring role (pictured below).

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He said: “Six years ago, we went to play a friendly at Sheffield United with Estudiantes and I thought ‘I really want to play in England, I love it’. We went because our manager Alex Sabella used to play for Sheffield United.

“I was with Estudiantes from 13 until 20. I played in the reserves and I got to the first team for friendlies.

“Veron was brilliant. He trained with us and he was in my position so he was always talking to me, giving advice.

“He said the best time he ever had playing was in England.

“He did the same things with us as he had at Manchester, not just on the field but in the structure of the club too. 

“I was close to the first team but a new coach came in and he wanted other players. I had been waiting for seven years and I got a little crazy so I went to Uruguay – but I don’t regret it.”

Favarel comes from the city of Rosario as one of 11 children in a family of Newells Old Boys fanatics. But the La Plata connection paid off for him.

Asensio said: “Javier is fantastic. I grew up 200 yards from his old club in La Plata. That club makes players in a certain mould. They are all tactically perfect and I knew that. Cholo Simeone was the manager there for three years.

"I knew Javier would be good tactically. He has settled in the team and you could not find a better man as a person.

“I think Javier is not the only one here but I would guess he is a minimum of Championship player – and not in a long time.”

Asensio sees the 25-year-old as his Mascherano figure in midfield, albeit playing just a bit further forward.

He added: “They have the same name – Javier. He is taller than Mascherano, which will help him in English football.”

Favarel plays down any comparison. He said: “I know what Pablo is trying to say because my position is very tactical too but Mascherano is the best.

“He can play as a defender for Barcelona and in midfield for the national team because he is very smart. I love Mascherano and I watch every game he plays to learn from him too.”