Football is really a funny old game, not that many years ago would you have believed that Gretna would be in the SPL and have a Uruguayan in their team?

On the scoresheet already
Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Yantorno may be getting an unrealistic view of Scottish football after playing for Gretna against amateurs Dalbeattie Star. The culture shock between playing in South America and Scotland has been eased a bit after he hit the net in the SPL side's 5-0 win in their opening pre-season friendly. Yantorno said: "I always wanted to play in Europe. I saw Scottish and English football on TV in Uruguay and I liked it a lot. When I scored, I was happy because all the guys came and congratulated me. That was really, really important. It meant a lot to me. They are very good people that work at Gretna and it feels like home to me here."

Yantorno, formerly of Uraguay's Miramar Misiones, spent a season in Italy's Serie B but was persuaded to try his luck in Scotland by director of club development Mick Wadsworth. Yantorno went on: "Mick told me about Gretna when I met him in Argentina and I liked the possibility to play here. My country and Scotland are very different but I think I will be OK. Football in Scotland is different to Uruguay. The game is quicker and harder here. In South America, you have time to stop the ball, to play, to watch, but here you have to stop and play quickly."

Wadsworth said: "We are delighted to sign Fabian as there was a lot of interest from clubs in Mexico and Uruguay. He can play in midfield and also as a striker, which gives us another attacking option." Stand-in Gretna manager Davie Irons added: "It's a great opportunity for Fabian as well as for Gretna. From what we've seen of him so far I'm sure he'll be a great asset to the team. He's a lovely guy and the players have taken to him, he's taken to the players, and I think that's important whether you come from South America or the south of Glasgow. If the players take to you then you can settle in quickly and it helps on the pitch as well."

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