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Brentford sign Igor Thiago from Club Bruges for £31m with the Brazilian striker

  /  autty

Brentford have completed the signing of Igor Thiago from Club Bruges.

The 22-year-old striker will join on a five-year-deal, starting on 1 July. The club will also have the option to extend the contract by an additional 12 months.

Reports in Belgium claim Brentford have paid €37million (£31m) for Thiago.

The move comes amid doubts over the future of Ivan Toney, who is expected to leave in the summer with Chelsea and Arsenal interested.

Thiago, who began his career in his native Brazil, joined Club Bruges in June from Bulgarian side Ludogorets.

He has scored 16 times and provided two assists in Belgium's top division this term.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said: '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. 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.'

The 22-year-old began his professional career in his native Brazil with Cruzeiro.

In March 2022, he made the move to Europe to sign for Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad.

At Ludogorets, he netted 15 goals and provided eight assists in 32 league matches. He also made an impact in the Europa Conference League with two goals.

The Thiago deal seemingly paves the way for Toney's summer exit.

Toney has only returned in January from an eight-month ban for breaching FA gambling rules, but is already linked with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Frank has said the striker may stay beyond the end of the season but his long-term future lies away from the Gtech Community Stadium via 'a couple of scenarios.'

He is out of contract at the end of next season and has stated his desire to play for a club higher up the Premier League.

Related: Brentford