Brentford have confirmed the signing of Club Brugge striker Igor Thiago ahead of the summer transfer window.
Ivan Toney’s return has boosted the Bees but many still expect him to move on this summer.
HITC Football understand that Toney is unlikely to sign a new contract and is primed to move on.
Brentford will need a replacement and have wasted no time in finding their next striker.
Thomas Frank’s men have now confirmed the signing of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago from Club Brugge.
Thiago will arrive this summer and here, we profile Brentford’s new hitman…
Igor Thiago, the story so far
Thiago hails from Gama in Brazil and came up in the ranks of Cruzeiro.
The 6ft 2in striker played 64 times for Cruzeiro as a kid but only scored 10 goals.
Thiago decided to leave in 2022, making a bold move to Bulgaria with Ludogorets Razgrad.
Initially signed for the future, Thiago was called up to first-team action after just four games for the Ludogorets second team, hitting three goals.
Thiago made a huge impact last season, smashing 20 goals in all competitions to earn himself a move to Belgium with Club Brugge last summer.
The goals have continued to flow with Thiago smashing 26 goals in 40 games across all competitions.
Mobile and great in the air, Thiago certainly looks like a Toney replacement in terms of his profile.
Igor Thiago player profile
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 26/06/2001
- Position: Striker
- Club: Club Brugge
- Former clubs: Cruzeiro, Ludogorets Razgrad
- Nationality: Brazil
Igor Thiago, what they say
“I’m really happy with Igor at this moment. Signing new players, you often get the same pattern: they start out well, but then fall back. It looks like that’s behind him now, as he’s been playing really well of late. Thiago brings something to the team we didn’t have before. He’s capable of sticking to a ball, and he’s strong inside the box. Apart from that, he’s also a top bloke, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. He was also criticised, but that will always be part of the game. Playing for a top outfit, he should be capable of handling that, and I’m happy with his reactions on the pitch. When the team is having a fine run, his individual qualities also shine more,” Club Brugge boss Ronny Deila.
Thiago has become more ball-resistant, that is clear. On the one hand, this may be due to the fact that his teammates now know him much better and that they can play to him better. I also think that his condition has become much stronger in recent months,” ex-Belgium boss Rene Vandereycken.
How much have Brentford paid for Igor Thiago?
Brentford haven’t confirmed a fee for their new striker but reports in Belgium offer some insight.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri claims that Club Brugge will receive up to €37million (£31million) for Thiago.
That is a huge deal for a talented but raw striker, with Brentford seemingly confident that he can become a Premier League star.
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