Youssef Chippo had his first meeting with Coventry City’s manager Gordon Strachan on English soil last night.

The Moroccan jetted into Heathrow airport from Portugal and was driven to Coventry’s training camp for the formal medical examination necessary before his £1 million transfer can be completed.

Chippo, 26, was examined by club doctor Moss Gold and then put through his paces on a training pitch watched closely by Strachan and sports scientist Tony Strudwick.

Today the player was undergoing a hospital scan as the last act before his transfer from FC Porto is completed.

The player, who speaks little English, said through an interpreter that he felt the Premiership was the strongest league in world football and he was looking forward to playing against Manchester United which he believed was the best team in the world.

Strachan explaining why he had signed the Moroccan said:

"I have to look at the work ethic when I buy players. He has that in abundance and he also has a lot of technical skill as well. I last watched him when Morocco played Holland and he outshone Seedorf and Van Bronckhorst. He can play in a variety of positions and he is very strong. He can even play in a striking role if necessary."

The player was flying back to Portugal this afternoon and he will then take a holiday before joining up with his Coventry team mates for pre-season training next month.

Strachan, meanwhile, is looking to get away from it all. He said: