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Becoming one of the first signings of the summer transfer window, the early recruits to West Ham United had media pressure and fan expectation heaped upon them from day one.

Some, such as Max Kilman, have excelled and in the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers’ skipper’s case, already gone some way to justify that huge £40 million price tag.

A longer route to first team football and towards exhibiting his worth to the team lay ahead for Luis Guilherme. Frustrated on the bench after a couple of fairly anonymous friendlies, the teenager played once for the u21’s and scored his first goal.

Recognition from the head coach arrived just last weekend with a late debut from the bench in the West Ham victory against Ipswich. Apart from being a shrewd bit of man-management by Lopetegui to give his 18 year old time in the Premier League, it proved an exciting moment for Guilherme finally to set foot on the pitch in West Ham colours.

“It’s a dream come true to have played in the Premier League at 18 years old. I have to thank God and my family for the opportunity to have fulfilled my dream” The player told whufc.com. Whilst there was little time for him to make an impact, he clearly didn’t look phased by the occasion and made a couple of good runs which on another day could have come to more.

The teenager, who seems a genuinely nice guy, was keen to thank those around him and who have supported him at what must have been an incredibly challenging time for one so young, moving halfway across the world to a new club, new country, new language and very different culture in East London. At just 18!

Guilherme made his Premier League debut for West Ham

He said:“Lucas and Emi have given me a lot. They are great players, and I’m proud to say they’re good friends too. They’ve helped me so much since I arrived, and I’ve had the pleasure to have gotten to know them quite well. I thank them for their support, and hopefully, bit by bit, I can give back to the team.”

Interesting that the teenager senses the need to ‘give back’ to the team who have gambled on his skills at such a young age.

Bit by bit, hopefully, he can repay the trust and the £20 million-plus which Steidten decided to invest in him. Will be quite an interesting journey to watch.