THE same South American talent scouts who found Bruno Fornaroli have secured Melbourne City another Latino gem.

Argentine Fernando Branden will make his first appearance for City in a pre-season friendly against Melbourne Knights on Tuesday.

The pacy 26-year-old, who appears likely to fill the void left by Harry Novillo on the left wing, is also set to play in City’s FFA Cup round of 32 clash with Perth’s Floreat Athena next Tuesday.

City has not yet announced Branden’s signing, but is likely to do so in the coming days.

Fernando Branden will join Bruno Fornaroli at City. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Corp Australia

The Herald Sun understands he arrived in Melbourne last week, successfully completed a medical at the club’s Bundoora headquarters and has been training with his teammates ever since.

Branden was playing for top tier Argentine club Atletico Temperley — where he scored 15 goals in 87 games from 2013-16 — but agreed to try his luck in Australia after being spotted by City scouts who report to City Football Group’s football services manager Brian Marwood in Manchester.

While it is expected he will play on the wing, the versatile Branden can also play centrally if required.

He joins Fornaroli and Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen in filling three of City’s five-permitted visa slots for the season.