West Ham United are thrilled to announce that highly-rated midfielder Domingos Quina has signed his first professional contract to keep him at the Club until 2019.

Quina is rated one of the best young talents in the game and has attracted interest from a number of Europe's leading sides.

But the former Benfica and Chelsea schoolboy, who turned 17 last Friday, was determined to pledge his long-term future to the east London Club.

Quina has already attracted headlines this season after he scored a 40-yard wonder goal against Leicester City for the U23s in October and now hopes to impress Slaven Bilic in the coming weeks and months and become a regular part of the first-team squad.

Quina said: “I am very happy to have signed my first professional contract with West Ham and it has always been my dream.

“I chose West Ham because it is a great Club and they like to give young players opportunities to break into the first-team like Reece Oxford and I hope to do the same.

“I like to enjoy my football and do things which people are not expecting. I really enjoyed my goal against Leicester and it was a great moment.

“That was not the first time I had scored a goal like that and hopefully there is more to come!

“I know that talent alone is not enough to see me develop as a player and I just want to keep working hard every day. Hopefully I will get my chance.”

Quina has already showcased his talents at international level, having recently been crowned a UEFA European U17 champion with Portugal.

Born in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau before moving to Portugal as a child, Quina has long been considered one of Portuguese football’s brightest prospects – an opinion confirmed by his outstanding displays at the recent European U17 Championship finals in Azerbaijan.

There, the young forward featured in all six matches, scoring in the group-stage victory over Scotland before starting his country’s victory over Spain in the final.

Prior to that, Quina put in a virtuoso performance, showcasing his attacking skills in a 7-3 victory over England U17s at the FA International Tournament in October 2015.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is delighted to see Quina put pen to paper on his first pro contract, saying he has an exceptional talent and predicts big things for the youngster.

Quina made his competitive debut for the Club in the UEFA Europa League against NK Domzale and the Hammers manager feels this could be just the start of a long career playing in the top flight.

Bilic said: “I am personally delighted with the news. We know a lot about him and he came away with us on pre-season.

“He is one of those players that you think if he doesn't make it, then which player will?

“He has got everything and it is now down to us and up to him how much he is going to improve and dedicate his life to achieve something that God gave him. There is no doubt he has something exceptional.

“He is skilful and is one of those players who doesn't have to think about his first touch because it comes so naturally to him.

"He is not afraid of challenges and has skill and vision. I have named everything and that is why is we are so happy to see him sign a contract.”

Quina says he is excited to be playing alongside the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini on a regular basis and cannot wait to make his Premier League debut at London Stadium.

He will never forget his first ever appearance at the Hammers' new home when he appeared as a second half substitute against Juventus in the Betway Cup back in August and says it is a moment that will stay with him for the rest of his career.

Quina added: “I want to make my Premier League debut as soon as possible and get more chances to play at London Stadium.

“It was an unbelievable moment for me to come on as a substitute against Juventus and it was something that will stay with me forever. The atmosphere was amazing. I hope to play many more games there.”