BRISBANE Roar are set to add to their 2018-19 A-League squad with the signing of Spanish midfielder Alex Lopez.

Lopez, 30, played for Sporting Gijon last season in the Spanish second division and previously had stints with Celta de Vigo, Real Valladolid and English club Sheffield Wednesday.

The silky former Spain under-17 international has been keeping fit by training with Racing de Ferrol, the club he started his senior career with in 2005.

The 175cm central midfielder is expected to arrive in Brisbane next week to link with the Roar, who start their A-League campaign on October 21 against Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium.

While not confirming his switch to the Roar, Lopez told Spanish website muchacalid.com of his impending move to Australia.

“There are many possibilities, but until it is signed and closed ...,” Lopez said.

Lopez was particularly popular with Sheffield Wednesday fans while on loan to the Owls from Celta de Vigo in the 2015-16 season.

He helped Wednesday reached that season’s English Championship playoff final but was controversially left on the bench in the Owls’ 1-0 loss to Hull City at Wembley.

Lopez returned to Spain the following season, when Celta de Vigo again loaned him out, this time to Valladolid.

Last season he joined Gijon on a free transfer, making 13 appearances in all competitions for the second-tier Spanish outfit.

Lopez will add to the Roar’s midfield depth, complementing the likes of skipper Matt McKay, former Danish international Thomas Kristensen, ex-Socceroo Brett Holman, young gun Joe Caletti and off-season signing Stefan Mauk in Brisbane’s engine room.

“Bringing in a quality player will definitely add to our team,” Mauk said.

“We’ve still got four weeks for someone new to get used to the team and quality players adapt quickly.

“We’re going to have a good midfield. Most games are normally won in that area so we need to make sure we keep on improving and working as a team.

“We’ve been quite good in the midfield, but we can definitely get better soon.”

Roar fans will hope Lopez has a similar impact to that had by countryman and fellow midfielder Corona, who stood out for Brisbane in the club’s 2015-16 campaign.

The similarly diminutive Corona helped the Roar to third place on the ladder and to within one win of a grand final appearance. His form earned him the Gary Wilkins Medal, awarded to Brisbane’s player of the season.

Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply.