Brazil’s Igor Thiago, a striker, was signed by Brentford on a five-year contract with Club Brugge.
Brentford announced the acquisition Igor Thiago from Club Brugge on Wednesday, sparking additional speculation about Ivan Toney’s future. In July, Thiago, who has made 40 appearances this season and scored 26 goals, will sign a five-year contract with the Bees. Brentford manager Thomas Frank praised Thiago’s “big potential” and declared, “We are ahead of the curve.”
Ivan Toney’s future will likely come under increased scrutiny after Brentford revealed on Wednesday that it has signed Brazilian attacker Igor Thiago from Club Brugge.
Thiago, who has made 40 appearances this season and scored 26 goals, will sign a five-year contract with the Bees in July.
“I’m thrilled that our team has taken the initiative; I want to especially thank Matthew Benham, Phil Giles, and Lee Dykes for their tireless efforts. Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, stated in a club release, “We are ahead of the curve.”
A important person has joined us for a pivotal role. Thiago is a dynamic striker who is a good fit for our club. He is a very skilled pressing player that works very hard. In addition, he has a strong physical presence, excels in the box, and connects the play.
He has a lot of potential and is making good development in the Belgian division; we are excited to see him wear a red and white shirt.
Arsenal and Chelsea, among other teams, are interested in Toney. Frank acknowledged earlier this month that the 27-year-old is “likely” to be transferred this summer.
Due to an eight-month ban for breaking betting regulations, the England international has missed the majority of the season.
But since his comeback last month, Toney has made four appearances and scored three goals, helping Brentford move six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
When the Premier League leaders visit west London on Saturday, live on TNT Sports, Toney will next be focusing on Liverpool.
Thiago has a difficult act to follow should he replace Toney, but since joining Bulgarian team Ludogorets Razgrad from Cruzeiro less than two years ago, he has seen a quick ascent.
Before moving to Brugge last summer, the 22-year-old scored 15 goals in 32 league games for the Bulgarian champions.
In Belgium, where he has made 24 league appearances and scored 16 goals, Thiago has shown himself to be even more lethal, scoring six goals in eight UEFA Europa Conference League games.