Emmanuel Ledesma is determined to earn a contract at Brentford after signing on a non-contract basis at Griffin Park last week.

The Argentine midfielder initially joined the Bees on trial in July and was told by manager Dean Smith that an improved fitness level was required before his spell in west London could become permanent.

Virtually unheard of in professional football, the terms of the ‘non-contract’ still allow the Ledesma to turn out for the club, as he did in the 1-0 EFL Cup defeat to Exeter City last week.

Having a substantial amount of Championship experience at Middlesbrough, Brighton and Rotherham should hold him in good stead on the contract front, and the 28 year-old is hopeful of signing on the dotted line imminently.

He told GetWestLondon: “I’m fighting for my own contract – this is my own personal goal. Apart from the game where we are fighting for three points together, but I am also fighting for my contract and I hope it is coming soon.

“I’m not far away at all [fitness-wise], I’m just working hard and waiting for the decision from the coach and the big ones [Directors of Football, Rasmus Ankersen and Phil Giles].

Dean Smith

Ledesma worked under Smith at Walsall in 2011 and 2012 – either side of a short return to boyhood club Defensa y Justicia – and revealed that he personally asked his former manager for a chance at Brentford.

He said: “I know the manager and I asked him for help and to let me try here. He said: “Yes you can try, but you need to work hard”. He gave me a little chance and now I want to get that important bonus which for me is that contract.

“I have really good team-mates and staff and I feel so happy [to have been welcomed] because in my past I played for QPR and I know about all that, but I feel good here.

“I know I didn’t play a lot over the last couple of years but that’s about other problems. Now I’m ready to play and give my all for Brentford.”