MELBOURNE City’s South American influence is set to increase, with the club on the verge of signing Argentinian attacking midfielder Fernando Brandan on a one-year deal.

Branden is a speedy, diminutive right footer who had previously been playing for top tier Argentine side Club Atletico Temperley, where he scored 15 goals in 87 games from 2013-16.

Argentinian media reports suggest the 26-year-old left Temperley’s pre-season training camp this week and headed for Buenos Aires, where he was to finalise negotiations with City.

If the move goes through, he will join Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli and Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen as the three visa players currently on City’s books.

Clubs are permitted five foreign players per season.

A relaxing of sponsorship rules from Football Federation Australia also saw City become the first A-League club to sign a major deal with a car company.

media_camera City will enjoy financial support from Nissan.

City announced a two-year partnership with Nissan, a contract believed to be worth about $500,000 annually.

The deal comes just days after it was revealed Nissan is expected to pull out of its major partnership with Channel 9’s The Footy Show after controversial comments made by host Sam Newman in relation to AFL journalist Caroline Wilson last month.

Previously clubs had been unable to sign commercial deals with car companies as the A-League’s major sponsor is Hyundai.

But in order to increase revenue opportunities for its franchises, FFA has recently made allowances for clubs to engage with automotive companies should the commercial returns pass a minimum threshold.

The deal, as flagged by the Herald Sun last month, is no surprise given the global partnership Nissan has with City’s sister clubs Manchester City, New York City and Yokohama F Marinos.