14 February 2024 , 19:26
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Ivan Toney's expected departure from Brentford has moved a step closer after the Bees announced the signing of Igor Thiago from Club Brugge.
After starting his career in Brazil, he joined Bulgarian giants Ludogorets in March 2022, scoring 21 goals and notching 11 assists in 55 games. His impressive form in Eastern Europe earned him a Bulgarian record move to Club Brugge in the summer of 2023.
Thiago has continued to bang in the goals in Belgium, scoring 26 times in the 40 games he has played so far this season. That has helped Brugge to reach the semi-finals of the Belgian Cup, where they hold a 2-1 lead on aggregate, and the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.
They are also third in the Jupiler Pro League, though are 15 points adrift of leaders Union SG. But after less than a year with the Belgian side, Brentford have moved to make him their replacement for star striker Toney.
The Bees announced the move on Wednesday, with Thiago signing a five-year contract, with the option for the club to extend that by an additional 12 months. He will remain with Brugge for the rest of the season, before linking up with Brentford in the summer, with boss Thomas Frank already to excited to have him in his squad.
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“I’m very pleased that we have been proactive as a club; big credit to Matthew Benham, Phil Giles and Lee Dykes for the hard work they have done. We are ahead of the curve. We have signed a key player for a key position," Frank said.
"Thiago is a very exciting striker who fits the role in our team. He is hard working and a very good pressing player. He is also a physical presence, very good in the box and can link the play. He’s progressing well in the Belgian league, so there is big potential and we are looking forward to seeing him in a red and white shirt.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Ivan Toney join this summer? Comment below.
Brentford have announced the signing of Igor Thiago from Club Brugge (BRUNO FAHY/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)The news of Thiago's arrival comes a week after Frank admitted it is "relatively obvious" that Toney will depart in the summer. The Englishman was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window, but ultimately remained with the Bees.
He has scored three goals in the four games he has played since returning from an eight-month ban for illegal gambling. But boss Frank is resigned to losing his captain come the summer, despite admitting he would prefer to keep him.
“It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer. We also know what he is worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now," Frank said.
“He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team. This winter we actually had no offers for him, but it will surprise me if there aren’t a lot of clubs that will be interested in him.”
Thiago's arrival will likely sound the starting gun on the transfer chase for Toney, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all linked with the striker. He will likely command a high fee, with 18 months still to run on his contract.
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