"From what we have been told, he is a real hard nut who doesn't take any prisoners," Keinzley said. "We needed to stiffen things up at the back and he's the man for that job."
Almendra is seen as the ideal replacement for Paul Ryder, who often partnered Seule Soromon up front last year but is not playing for Wairarapa United in 2013.
A prolific goal scorer, Almendra found the net on 19 occasions for his club last season, including recording all four goals when they scored a 4-1 victory in the second division final.
"It's exciting to think of the damage he and Seule could do. Having two players of that calibre up front has to be a huge plus for us," Keinzley said.
It is anticipated that de la Torre and Almendra will arrive in the Wairarapa on February 28.
Meanwhile, Masterton are playing in the top section of division two in the annual Hilton Petone tournament where they have been drawn against Capital premier division sides University and Olympic, as well as Upper Hutt. They went down 6-2 to University in their opening game last weekend but competed strongly against their higher-rated opposition.
