Lijah Perkins today pinned his hopes of European stardom on a successful stint with Brighton Bears.

The new signing could be heading straight into a head-to-head with former Bears MVP Rico Alderson in his home debut.

Perkins, 28, was named player-of-the-year in the second tier of Finnish basketball, known as the First Division, as he helped his club Forssan Koripojat to runners-up spot last season. He averaged an impressive 19 points and 11 rebounds per game and shot at 49 per cent from the field.

The 6ft 7in English power forward or centre is keen to progress in the European game.

He has signed for Nick Nurse, who coached him at Birmingham Bullets, on the understanding he will be released should a bigger European club show interest.

Perkins is set to join Andrew Alleyne in the front court tomorrow at Milton Keynes and on Sunday at home to London Towers, who are expected to unveil Alderson as their latest signing.

The arrival of Perkins could persuade Nurse to use his last spot for a work-permit American on a sharp-shooting two-guard if, as seems likely, Marshall Sanders decides not to take up his place at Brighton.

Nurse said: "Lijah is a great athlete who did well in Finland and would love to step up in Europe.

"He's a rebounder, a shot blocker, he runs the floor well and he can finish at the basket."

Perkins was part of the Teesside Mohawks team which dominated the second tier of English basketball a few years ago.