Portuguese winger will link up with West Ham U23s
Wednesday 30 January 2019 17:24, UK
West Ham have completed the signing of Benfica teenager Mesaque Dju on a free transfer.
The 19-year-old winger, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at West Ham, came through Benfica's youth system and has represented Portugal at every youth level from the U16s to U20s.
He was part of the Portugal side that won last year's European Under-19 Championship and the U17 Euros in 2016.
Dju is seen as a player for the future at London Stadium, and will initially link up with the Hammers' U23 side.
He told the club's website: "I know a lot about West Ham because it is a very big club in England and helps young players get to the first team. I want this and I'm working for this."
West Ham's academy director Terry Westley added: "We had seen Mesaque play for Portugal and win the U17 and U19 European Championship titles. He was an attacking player who was always highlighted when you watched him in those games.
"Mesaque is a wide player who is different to the current young wide players we have in Grady Diangana, Nathan Holland, Martin Samuelsen and Dan Kemp, who are what you would class as a dribblers. He is a dynamic player with great pace and power, a little bit like Michail Antonio.
"He is six-foot plus, two-footed, strong and can deliver with quality from the left or the right, and could even develop in to a number nine with his attributes, which we believe could make him a Premier League player."
