West Ham United have bolstered their striking corps with the arrival of 21-year-old forward Xande Silva from Portuguese Primeira Liga side Vitoria de Guimaraes.

The forward, who will initially team up with Terry Westley’s Under-23s, arrives in east London for an undisclosed fee having made 26 appearances in the Portuguese top flight.

Capped at every age group from Under-15 to Under-20, which included helping his nation reach the semi-finals of the Under-17 European Championships in 2014, the Under-19 quarter-finals in 2016, and the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup in 2017, the Portuguese is seen as a developmental prospect at the London Stadium.

Describing himself as a pacy forward, Silva’s club record will not immediately jump off the page to Hammers fans with just one goal in 26 games for Vitoria and four in 52 for their B team following his first team debut three years ago.

However, he has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer for his country and will doubtlessly intrigue boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Silva is in line to make his West Ham debut in tomorrow’s behind closed doors friendly with Watford Under-23s.

Discussing the arrival of the young forward, Academy Director Westley told the club website: “I would like to welcome Xande Silva to West Ham United and wish him a successful future with the club.

“He has shown good promise in his early career with Vitoria de Guimaraes and through the youth levels with Portugal.

“He is now joining a very talented group of Under-23 players here and will continue the next stage of his development with us. We look forward to watching his progress over the course of the coming season.”

The striker himself, meanwhile, described the move to West Ham as a “big dream” and hopes to impress the Hammers’ faithful.

Silva said: “I am a technical player and I am very fast. I will give West Ham 100% on the pitch every time I play.

“It’s a big dream of mine to play here in England. This is a club with a big history, with very good fans and I’m very excited to be here.”