Whitehawk have made another big signing after snapping up a Portugal under-19 international on loan from Blackburn Rovers.

Edinho Junior is joining the Conference south new boys on a month’s loan from the start of the campaign.

He will also be eligible to play in the pre-season friendlies and could be involved away to Hampton and Richmond tomorrow.

Manager Darren Freeman has been trying to sign Edinho for a while and was close to bringing him in on loan towards the end of last season as Hawks closed in on winning the Ryman premier title.

The teenager began his career at Portuguese club SC Olhanense where he caught the eye of Scottish Premier League side Celtic who were rumoured to be lining up a £500,000 offer for the player.

He joined Blackburn for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal last summer after impressing on trial and made two starts for the Ewood Park outfit last season, at home to Leicester in the Championship and away to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

Edinho had a loan spell with Indian Premier League side Shillong Lajong last season, scoring twice on his debut, and made his Portugal under-19 debut against Norway in February.

His signing is a coup for Freeman who has used his contacts in the game to land the player.

Former Albion favourite Freeman said: “I tried to get him towards the end of last season but there were a couple of clubs interested and I was just too late.

“However, I had it in the back of my mind that we could go back in for him.

“He can play a lot higher and we are delighted that Blackburn have allowed us to take him for a month. I would also like to thank the agent I have been talking with.

“I have been a professional footballer myself and when you are in this game you get to know a lot of people. I am in contact with a friend of mine who is an agent for some players at Blackburn Rovers. I asked him the question (about Edinho) and the agent has been marvellous for us. The agent believes this will be a good move for the player.”

Freeman has already signed another forward, Jake Robinson, from Northampton this summer and has great faith in another former Albion striker in Sam Gargan, although he will start the season with a suspension from last season.