Igor Thiago: Brentford strike early deal for Ivan Toney replacement as Thomas Frank hails £30m striker | OneFootball

Thomas Frank said Brentford were “ahead of the curve” after they announced the signing of Igor Thiago last night, which felt apt for a club which always seems one step in front.

Just 13 days after the January transfer window closed, the Bees have already started their summer activity and agreed to spend £30million on the Club Brugge striker.

Before Ivan Toney has even been sold, Brentford are already prepared for life after him.

Thiago, a 22-year-old Brazilian, has agreed a five-year contract with an option for a further year, and will join Brentford on July 1 after finishing the season in Belgium.

With an impressive goalscoring record and physical attributes, he looks the latest astute Brentford signing.

Igor Thiago will join Brentford in the summer

BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

“It is relatively obvious that Ivan will probably be sold this summer,” said Frank last week. “I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.”

Thiago grew up in Gama in the outskirts of Brasilia, working as a builder to support his family after his father died when he was young.

He began his professional career with Cruzeiro, one of Brazil’s biggest clubs.

A reasonable return of 10 goals in 65 games alerted the attention of Bulgarian side Ludogorets, for whom he registered 15 goals and eight assists in just 32 league games. That included an 11-minute hat-trick in an 8-1 league victory over Botev Vratsa in April.

Since his £6.8m move to Club Brugge last summer, Thiago has scored an impressive 26 goals in 40 games, which makes him the leading Brazilian marksman in Europe this season, ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Richarlison, of Tottenham.

“Big credit to [owner] Matthew Benham, [director of football] Phil Giles and [technical director] Lee Dykes for the hard work they have done. We are ahead of the curve.”

It is a sign of the confidence Brentford have in Thiago that they are willing to spend a club-record fee to sign him.

The Bees pulled the plug on a deadline-day move for his Club Brugge team-mate Antonio Nusa after problems arose during his medical. Nusa is still expected to leave this summer, with a long list of major European clubs still hunting him, but the signing of Thiago makes Brentford a less likely destination now.

Instead, the Bees can focus their attention on hoping their new 6ft 2ins striker finishes the Belgian season strongly, and work out a plan to ensure he hits the ground running next term.

“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.”

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