FORMER Benfica youngster Josh Sarmento is determined to make the most of his latest pit stop after being snapped up by Worcester City.

The Portugal-born winger, 21, has signed a one-year deal with City having already flitted between Sunday morning football and some of the game’s most recognisable names.

Having arrived in the UK at the age of six Sarmento was picked up by Birmingham City and then spent three years with Aston Villa following his St Andrew’s release.

Some time at Norwich City followed before his agent tried to make headway back home.

Two deals were offered but Sporting Lisbon were shunned by a lad that grew up supporting Benfica.

When his dream came to an end it was back to the grindstone with Alvechurch last season where the Birmingham-raised wide man scored three times in 10 starts and 10 substitute appearances for the Midland League Premier Division champions.

With time on his side Sarmento still has his heart set on professional glory and is keen to inspire Worcester’s renaissance as much as his own.

“I have signed a contract until the end of the season so hopefully I can make a difference and help the team to win the league,” said Sarmento.

“I trained with Benfica under 21s and about five times with the first team. It was amazing to be honest — the facilities, the players, the talent.

“It is different now but that is how it goes sometimes. You have to bounce back and I am here to help the team and myself to get to the next level.

“I want to be a professional. I want to be up there again so we’re working on my movement from the channels, for me to lose the defender a bit more.

“Hopefully I can gain a starting position and show the managers and the team what I can do. I just want to fit into the team, help out and get us all moving on to the next chapter.”

On his background Sarmento admitted his upbringing had taken place in the school of hard knocks but he remains appreciative of his opportunities.

“When we moved over to England it was quite hard at the start,” he added. “I couldn’t speak English but I played a lot of football around my area.

“I thought everyone was taking the mick out of me but I started to make friends by playing football on the playground and slowly I started speaking. It helped a lot, communicating with others.”

Sarmento, a late substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Lye, hopes to start in City’s home league clash with table-topping Coleshill Town at Bromsgrove's Victoria Ground tomorrow night (7.45pm).

“I watched Coleshill earlier in the season and they are very good going forward,” said joint-manager Lee Hughes.

“On top of that they are another well-organised side and we have faced a few of those this season but I know what I have seen and the areas where I feel we can exploit them.

“As long as the lads put in the same effort as Saturday I think we’ll be alright.”