FORMER Plymouth Albion back-row forward Mike Denbee is set to join Spanish Premiership side Club de Rugby La Vila for the 2009-10 season.

Denbee was a key player for Albion last term, making 24 starts and three replacement appearances.

However, after being unable to agree terms on a new deal with the Brickfields outfit, the 24-year-old has decided to ply his trade abroad at a club coached by former Cornish Pirates head coach Mark Hewitt.

"The door closed for me at Plymouth, but fortunately another one has opened and I am really excited by the opportunity of playing in Spain," Denbee told Herald Sport.

"There is no player movement in National Division One (the Championship) now and I wanted to remain a professional, so I am really pleased that I will be playing in another country, taking on a new challenge.

"It is a fresh start for me and I am really looking forward to going out there and doing my best to help the team."

Denbee, an England Counties international, added: "Mark Hewitt being coach there was a big draw for me.

"He is a coach of a good calibre and Mark has told me there are certain areas of my game he would like to work on.

"I am not going out to Spain for a jolly. I am going there to work hard and to use the year to develop myself.

"It is not a backward step for me – I see it as a step forward and a chance to learn a new language and a new culture and, most importantly, to improve as a player.

"I intend to really work on my game and make myself a better player."

Denbee will make his way out to his new club, just outside Alicante, in time for the start of pre-season next month.

He will use the time before then to work on his fitness, ready for the new Spanish Premiership season when he will come up against the likes of former Plymouth players Regardt van Eyk and David Palu, who both play for Cetransa El Salvador.

"Pre-season with La Vila doesn't start until August 17 because the Spanish season doesn't start until the end of September," said Denbee.

"I will be working hard in preparation for that, so that when pre-season does start, I will be ready.

"Not all the players at the club are full-time, but the coaching team is, it is a really well run club and that is the main reason why I joined them."

Denbee added: "La Vila want to play an expansive game, so it should be an enjoyable season.

"La Vila are similar to a mid-table Championship side, but have high hopes of doing well next season.

"Cetransa El Salvador will probably start as title favourites because of the signings they have made over the summer. But I am hopeful we should be there or thereabouts."

Denbee could be joined at La Vila next season by two of his former Albion team-mates, one of which is believed to be centre Arran Cruickshanks.

Meanwhile, prop James Tideswell has completed his expected move to Premiership side London Irish.

The 25-year-old has signed a one-year contract.

London Irish head coach Toby Booth said: "James is highly regarded by (Albion's chairman of rugby) Graham Dawe and that's as credible an endorsement as you can get as a forward in this country.

"James is a good athlete who shows a real desire to make it to the top level of the game and that's very encouraging."

Tideswell said: "When I met with Toby Booth I was impressed with what he told me about the club and the set-up.

"London Irish had a great season and I'm sure another lies ahead. I'm looking forward to getting started and playing in the Premiership."