Currently ranked tenth in the Premier League, Brentford is having a strong start to the season. Under the management of Keith Andrews, who replaced the longtime coach Thomas Frank, the team faced significant departures of its two top scorers. Bryan Mbeumo transferred to Manchester United, while Yoane Wissa headed to Newcastle. With both players scoring 20 and 19 goals respectively last season, concerns grew over the lack of a major recruitment in attack. Brentford signed Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth and took Reiss Nelson on loan from Arsenal. However, the standout performer so far is Igor Thiago, who was already at the club last year.
A Challenging Journey
Igor Thiago joined Brentford in the summer of 2024 for €33 million from FC Brugge, following an agreement made six months earlier. Originally from Gama near Brasília, Thiago faced early hardships after losing his father at 13. He worked in various jobs, including at a supermarket and as a mason, striving to support his mother, Maria, who was a garbage collector. “When I was 13, my father passed away. I started working at the market, carrying fruits and doing multiple jobs before becoming a professional footballer,” he recounted in an interview with Brentford’s website.
After making a name for himself with the youth team EC Vêre, he moved to Cruzeiro, a prominent Brazilian club struggling at the time. Making his professional debut in the 2019/2020 season, he played two and a half seasons in Brazil’s Serie B, scoring 10 goals in 64 matches before venturing to Europe. With limited interest from major clubs, he signed with Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria, where he experienced a breakout season in 2022/2023, scoring 20 goals in 53 matches and securing a domestic treble. His impressive performance caught the attention of FC Brugge, who signed him for €11 million, and he continued to shine with 29 goals and six assists in his first season, leading to Brentford’s swift pursuit of him.
The Season’s Surprise
As the first Brazilian player in Brentford’s history, Igor Thiago arrived with high expectations as the club’s most expensive transfer at the time (€42.8 million, now surpassed by Dango Ouattara). “I am very happy and proud to be the first Brazilian at Brentford. I want to bring some Brazilian culture and energy to the club while contributing positively under pressure,” he said when he joined. However, last season was tough for him due to a meniscus injury, limiting him to just 169 minutes over eight appearances, raising doubts about his potential. He has since put those concerns to rest.
With a significant summer overhaul at Brentford, Igor Thiago was appointed as the leading offensive option by Andrews, and he has thrived. Standing at 1.91 meters tall, his physicality and aerial skills have allowed him to score consistently. This season, he has netted 11 goals in 13 Premier League matches, including doubles against Manchester United and Newcastle, and a goal against Liverpool. He scored twice again against Burnley last Saturday. Interest in him is growing, with clubs like Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Newcastle reportedly keen on his profile, according to the Mirror. Currently the top-scoring Brazilian in the top five leagues, Thiago, who has never represented Brazil, aims for a spot in the national team for the 2026 World Cup. “I have always dreamed of playing for Brazil. I pray that when I am called up, it’s not just an obligation, but I want to stay in the national team once selected,” he expressed to sports journalist Josué Seixas. Overcoming obstacles to chase his dreams, Igor Thiago stands out as one of the most inspiring stories of the 2025/2026 season.
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