Elche CF refined its midfield options with a notable addition, as coach Francis Rodriguez discussed the strategic move last Saturday. The discussion centered on signing a single midfield axis reinforcement, a player whose name carries international recognition and a background steeped in African descent. The target is a player with dual nationality, Guinea-Bissau and Portuguese, bringing a blend of strength and versatility to the middle of the park.
That promising youngster, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday in November, is poised to join Elche on loan from England’s Watford, with an option to purchase at the season’s end. He is expected to inject competitive energy into the engine room and to serve as a robust replacement if Omar Mascarell encounters any drop in form or fitness.
Domingos Quina, born in Guinea-Bissau on November 18, 1999, moved to Portugal at a very young age. His football journey began in Benfica’s youth categories, where his talent quickly shone. He captained Portugal at the European Under-17 level and earned his move to Chelsea for their youth setup. He later represented Portugal at the Under-19 level, and his stature continued to rise as he achieved further European honors in the under-20 category.
After his time with Chelsea, Quina transferred to West Ham and then to Watford in 2018, entering a contract that runs through 2024. His career has seen him feature for several clubs, including a stint at Granada during the winter window of the 2020-2021 season, where he demonstrated his impact by playing against Elche and contributing to a 2-1 Nasrids victory. In that campaign, he appeared in eight league matches and scored twice.
Quina later joined Fulham, where he played briefly before being loaned to Barnsley in January, seeking more playing time. He appeared in 16 matches for Barnsley, scoring two goals, which underscored his ability to contribute in various tactical setups.
Now a new chapter unfolds as Quina prepares to join Elche, bringing physicality, technicality, and experience to reinforce the midfield for the franciverde squad. His arrival complements the profiles of established midfielders such as Mascarell, Gerard Gumbau, and Raul Guti, who share a similar balance of strength and technical ability on the ball.
Quina is expected to arrive in Elche within the upcoming hours to complete the medical tests and begin training under the guidance of the club’s coaching staff. The Guinea-Bissau and Portuguese heritage player becomes Elche’s fifth signing of the season, a strategic infusion aimed at strengthening the left and central areas of the pitch. The transfer sits alongside the arrivals of left-back Carlos Clerc, right-back Roger Martí, and the midfield additions surrounding Alex Collado. If the coaching staff’s plans materialize, the squad will be further fortified before the close of the transfer window on September 1.