SPANISH ace Javier Mugica is confident Valencia Basket will help to improve the level of basketball in the city after signing a partnership agreement with Worcester Wolves.

Bosses at the University of Worcester, who own Wolves, completed the deal last month as they aim to develop their basketball programme while putting the city on the map.

Valencia are considered one of Europe’s biggest clubs and Wolves hope to use the partnership to promote the exchange of expertise, knowledge and co-operation between staff.

Mugica joined in the summer after the University of Leon in his home country, who have also formed strong links with Worcester, put him in touch with Wolves head coach Paul James.

The 32-year-old believes the relationship with Valencia, who play in Spain’s top ACB League, could also benefit the club with Spanish coaches passing on their philosophies.

“Valencia are a really big team in Spain, who have played in the Euro League and they are having a really good season, so it is a good move for Worcester,” he said.

“Valencia can help to improve skills in basketball, so they will have more smart plays and work on five-on-five situations, not just one-on-one or two-on two, so this is good news for English basketball and especially Worcester.”

As well as working on his English at the University of Worcester, Mugica, who produced a series of MVP game performances at Forca Lleida, says he is enjoying plying his trade in the British Basketball League.

The 6ft 7in forward has made 16 appearances for Wolves and received high praise from James after he tallied 20 points and pulled down a huge 17 rebounds in their victory over London Lions last month.

And Mugica, whose girlfriend Paula Bayon plays for Wolves ladies, says he is focused on helping his new team win some silverware this season.

“I have been playing professionally for 10 or 11 years,” he said.

“Last year was really good for me as we played in the semi-finals of the LEB Gold to go up to the ACB, which is the second best league in the world.

“But I think it was the moment to change because I had played in the LEB for six years.

“It was a new challenge and now I want to try and win the championship with Wolves.”