DORCHESTER have agreed terms with Oli Lowes and Eder Batista ahead of the upcoming Bet Victor Southern Premier South season.

Lowes, brother of Billy, in an 18-year-old midfielder that has featured in both of the Magpies' opening friendlies against Bridgwater Town and Horndean and both new signings have spent pre-season training with Dorchester.

Batista, a Brazilian striker, has previously featured for Poole Town and Hamworthy United, scored the final goal in their opening 5-0 win in the friendly against Bridgwater Town last week and will dual register with Portland United.

Lowes said: “It’s a good opportunity for me as a young player to come in, there is loads of experience around the team, to learn off of everyone and just be a part of it.

“I’ve been at Poole Town for a couple of seasons with the reserves and under 18’s, and got some minutes with the first team, but it didn’t really work out for me so I’ve been looking for other places.

“I was at AFC Bournemouth Academy for seven years and Cal was my manager for a year or so, and I also know Jody from Bournemouth too, so to come in and know everyone already really is good.

“The atmosphere around the club and the work ethic is amazing, it’s just a good place to be at.”

On playing alongside his brother Billy for the first time against Bridgwater, Lowes added: “It’s been weird – I’ve seen a different side of him! It’s just been good to be around him and all the boys, it’s just been amazing really.”

Discussing Batista, Dorchester boss Callum Brooks said: “I’ve got massive respect for the time, effort and dedication that Eder puts into his football.

"He’s big, strong and looks like a full-time athlete to be honest. 

“He started the season with me at Hamworthy last year and he was showing real signs of promise. Since then, he went away and refined his game, he’s been on a full-time training programme with two or three sessions per day incorporated with strength and conditioning. 

“He got in touch with me asking whether I’d be willing to give him an opportunity at Dorchester, and from what I’ve seen that was always a no-brainer for me to give him that opportunity. 

“Watching him around the group and around the sessions, plus he played for Portland the other night from which I’ve had very positive feedback – it was a really powerful performance and he got on the scoresheet – so, with all that information combined, I feel that Eder’s got a part to play.

“It is a step up for him – it’s not a jump he’s just going to make automatically, but again what I’ve offered Eder is the chance to grow into this level of football, and that is via being around this football club and he’s also going to dual-register with Portland to top his minutes up. 

“He’s a tremendous character and gives you absolutely everything on and off the pitch.”