Danny Midgley has got his foot in the door to the high-profile world of Spanish basketball.

And, as he prepared for his league debut tomorrow, the 23-year-old from Burgess Hill declared: "I intend to take this chance with both hands."

Midgley, who played for Brighton Bears five years ago, has signed for third-division Estudiantes de Lugo.

The team is used as a feeder by neighbours Leche Rio Breogan, who play in Spain's ACB, the best domestic league in the world outside the NBA.

Top players from Estudiantes de Lugo have begun their ACB life by sitting on the bench for Leche Rio.

But, as Midgley prepared to face Basket Coruna in his debut, he admitted his aims for now were to work hard, settle in and learn the language.

He said: "I believe I can make a career for myself out here and earn some good money. It's a professional set-up. We practise every day, we lift every day.

"The standard is about the same as Worthing Thunder but I'm playing a lot and it's a very impressive set-up.

"We use the same arena as the ACB team and it's an amazing stadium. The ACB team play on Saturdays and we play on Sundays.

"It makes for a good basketball weekend and we get a few of the ACB team's supporters at our games."

Midgley, who is 6ft 5in and can play various positions, graduated from Maine Machias in the States last season and the good habits he developed have stood him in good stead.

He said: "I've been getting 20 minutes a game and I'm becoming known for my defence.

"I didn't think my D was any good until I came here.

"It's hard on court because I don't speak Spanish and my coach doesn't speak English. That has been the hardest part of settling in.

"But it's up to me to learn the language. I want to be able to communicate."