The signing of Quina by West Ham was another coup for the east London club with big ambitions, especially given where he had come from and who wanted him. The player had been at Chelsea previously, and there was strong interest from Arsenal in signing him but he surprised many by agreeing a scholarship deal at West Ham, rather than clubs who traditionally promise young players more lucrative first professional deals.

It will be up to West Ham to apply to Fifa for international clearance to sign the 16-year-old who, under the governing body's regulations, can move to a club in a European Union country other than the one on his passport as long as certain conditions are met. The transfer of under-18s is allowed cross-border within the EU only as long as the player's schooling and football development, as well as his accommodation, are demonstrated to be comparable or better than they were in the country he is leaving.

Providing West Ham get clearance from Fifa, the club will switch Quina to his first professional contract when he turns 17 on Nov 18. For Chelsea, losing a player of that quality will come as a blow although it is understood that he was never registered at the academy.