Ajax pulled off a coup by signing Carlos Borges from Manchester City. 

West Ham looked set to land the winger, only for the Dutch giants to secure a deal.

The Portuguese, 19, signalled his intention for a fresh start in Amsterdam by stating he will play under his maternal name Forbs rather than paternal surname Borges. 

Ahead of Ajax's opening fixture of the new Eredivisie season at home to Heracles on Saturday, we take a look at what qualities 'Forbs' will bring to Ajax.

Fastest player

After signing Forbs, Ajax's director of football Sven Mislintat explained how the Netherlands club got the deal done and why they were so eager to recruit him. 

He said: "In the way of competition it was quite close with other clubs, especially with one from the Premier League. 

"But Carlos understood immediately what we are, what we stand for and what is possible here. 

"He's a fantastic boy. He's lightning quick, I think he will be one of the fastest players in the Eredivisie.

"He's super brave, kind of a special player that can make a really good difference in dribbling situations and try to solve problems in the final third. 

"Being more or less a threat with every single action, it's always full speed." 

Goalscoring exploits

Forbs has spoken about how he was persuaded to join Ajax, despite the chance to stay in England. 

He said: "They spoke to me about their project and how they want me in the team and how I'm going to fit in. 

"They count on me — that's you want to hear. So I said yeah, I think this is the right move for me." 

Forbs left Manchester without making a senior appearance for City but excelled in the club's youth system.  

He scored 25 goals, including a hat-trick against League One Derby in the EFL Trophy, and created 12 for the Under-21s last season.

The teenager also netted six and provided four assists in six appearances for City's U-19s in the UEFA Youth League. 

Opportunity knocks

Forbs played his first match for Ajax when he replaced Mohammed Kudus in the recent 3-1 friendly defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

With Kudus likely to leave, the new signing's path to regular starts may soon look much clearer. 

The Dutch league is always an attractive option for young footballers for that very reason.

Opportunities are often available, with the best players being regularly poached by teams from bigger divisions.

In contrast, Forbs' situation has highlighted the difficulties of breaking through at a club like City. 

He could have scarcely achieved more at youth level yet still left without making a single first-team appearance due to the likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden blocking his path. 

Now Forbs has the platform to show what he can do at Ajax. 

And given his potential, it would be no surprise if he is back in the big time before long.