Brentford have confirmed the signing of forward Igor Thiago from Club Bruges.
The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract with Brentford and will join the Premier League side in the summer.
Thiago is the second-top scorer in the Belgian Pro League this season, with his 16 goals in 24 games bettered only by Kevin Denkey’s 19 for Cercle Bruges.
“I’m very pleased that we have been proactive as a club; big credit to (Brentford owner) Matthew Benham, (director of football) Phil Giles and (technical director) Lee Dykes for the hard work they have done,” head coach Thomas Frank said. “We are ahead of the curve.
“We have signed a key player for a key position. 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.”
Frank spoke earlier this month about the future of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, admitting that it is likely the 27-year-old will leave the club this summer after returning from his ban from football for betting offences in January. Toney will have only a year left to run on his contract at the end of this season.
Thiago has played 40 times for Club Bruges in all competitions this season, scoring 26 goals and registering four assists.
The Brazilian only joined Club Bruges last summer, signing a four-year contract after moving from Hungarian side Ludogorets. The 6ft 2in (187cm) striker had scored 15 goals in 32 league games during the 2022-23 season ahead of his move to Belgium.
Thiago previously played for Cruzeiro in his native Brazil before joining Ludogorets in 2022.
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(Bruno Fahy/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images)
