The 23-year-old midfielder has arrived at the Shay from Portland Timbers where he has something approaching cult status with the fans.

A season-long spell at Grimsby Town last year gave Washington-born Sagore a taste of football life in this country.

But after they failed to stump up the cash to keep him at Blundell Park, Town, through player-coach Sean McAuley, made their move.

However, the deal could only be finalised with assistance from the Halifax Town Supporters Trust who, on hearing of McAuley and boss Chris Wilder's interest in the player, agreed to pay his travel and accommodation costs for the remainder of the season.

McAuley wasted little time in bringing his name to the attention of Wilder ad ultimately the Supporters Trust

Said McAuley: "It is important that we strengthen the squad and with the Trust's help we've definitely done that.

"Jake came to my attention when I played in America last summer. He is a talent. Like quite a lot of Americans he is raw in that they don't always get the best quality coaching as youngsters because football, or soccer as we might have to call it, isn't of a professional standard.

"What Jake will give Halifax Town is energy, strength and speed but most of all he wants to play for the club."

Sagare is also grateful for the support from the Supporters Trust which has presented him with his dream ticket.

"If it wasn't for the Supporters Trust I wouldn't be here and I thank them for that," said Sagare.

"It is a great opportunity which I intend to take with both hands because playing in England is my dream.

"Any American player coming up would love to have this chance and I believe, at this moment, Halifax Town is a good place for me to be.

"I've had one season at Grimsby and made just one appearance, but I really want to break into this team and do a good job for them."

Sagare, who has dual American/British citizenship which allows him to play in England, only arrived in Halifax on Wednesday, but has already trained twice with his new teammates.

And he was hopeful Wilder would name him among the substitutes for this afternoon's clash with Margate at the Shay.

"I feel pretty good, although I am still suffering a little from jet-lag," added Sagare. "But I am ready and if the coach wanted to put me on the bench for tomorrow then I would be happy with that."

Sagore is no stranger to Halifax Town having watched three games last season when McAuley first introduced him to Wilder.

And he has no doubts that he will fit in despite the differences between the game here and in the States.

"In America the game is more individually-based," explained Sagore. "If you were to ask a player how his team went on they would invariably say I did well, I scored a goal or something like that.

"But here it is all about the team and everybody working hard for the team.

"I am looking forward to having some first team experience under my belt. My ultimate aim is to enjoy a good career in England and hopefully Halifax Town can help me do that."

Sagore has experience of playing iin front of 13,000 fans at Portland.

But he isn't concerned that the crowds at the Shay will not match that figure.

"The difference is that in England 2,000 fans can sound like 20,000 while in America 10,000 can sound like 2,000", he said.

Stuart Byrnes, chairman of the Supports Trust, hinted that Sagore's arrival may signal the start of a number of players coming through from Portland.

"I think that Jake could possibly be the first of many if we work in conjunction with Portland Timbers," said Byrnes.

"There is an emerging soccer scene in the United States and this could be the start of bigger things for Halifax Town with Jake being the pathfinder."