AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley has suggested that he could sign Rhys Weston before Saturday's opening league game of the season against Torquay United.
The defender, who has been on trial with the club in pre-season, is highly regarded by the management of the League Two club.
"At our Meet the Manager event, I told supporters that we were planning to go with three centre-backs and six defenders overall, even though I felt that left us a little bit light," he told the club's official website.
"That had allowed for a potential loan signing should we have needed one. However, Rhys has impressed us a lot. I played with him at Cardiff City, but you do not know how a player is going to come back after having a spell abroad.
"Rhys has done exceptionally well during his trial and we know that he can play anywhere across the back. We had talks with Rhys about offering him the funds that we had set aside for a loan and we hope that is something that he can do."
Weston left Malaysian club Sabah FA at the end of last season.