‘I had bricklaying job and carried fruit for residing – now I’m a Prem striker’
Brentford’s new number nine, Igor Thiago, used to work as a bricklayer and a fruit carrier before shooting to superstardom.
The 23-year-old Brazilian made the move from the Club Brugge to the Gtech Community last month for a club record transfer fee of £30million – catching the eye of Thomas Frank thanks to his 29 goals in 55 games for the Belgian club. And while Thiago will be looking forward to testing himself in the top-flight of English football, he was embarking on a completely different career path not too long ago.
After losing his father at a young age, the Brazilian started working as a fruit carrier at the age of 13 to help support his mother and his family. He told Brentford’s official site: “When I was 13 years old, my father passed away. I started to work at the fair carrying fruit.
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“I also worked as a bricklayer. I had several jobs when I was younger, before I got into professional football and got the opportunity to play abroad. It helped me as a man, and it helped me as person. It helped me to appreciate the little and big things in life, because today I look at my life and see that I’m privileged with everything I have.”
Thiago got his first big break with Gremio Ocidental, before Vere FC took a chance on him. After impressing in his youth, he caught the attention of Cruzeiro – leading to his first professional contract in 2020. Ten goals in 64 appearances saw Bulgarian side Ludogorets come knocking. He signed for the side in 2022 and bagged a breakthrough 21 goals in 55 games.
(Image: Getty Images)
Club Brugge acquired his services last summer, with Brentford impressed by his sole season in the Belgian Pro League – offering Thiago a contract until the end of June 2029 as their choice no.9, as interest heats up surrounding 28-year-old Ivan Toney following an impressive Euro 2024 campaign with England.
Manchester United, Spurs, Chelsea and Al-Ahli SFC are among the teams who have been linked with Toney this summer thus far – but they’ll have to meet Brentford’s £60million price tag if they wish to complete a signing. However, the hold on the Bees’ part could backfire should they fail to find a new home for the star man this summer, with his contract expiring at the end of June 2025.
While Thiago would have been hoping to hit the ground running for his new club as the Premier League campaign kicks off this weekend, he has been ruled out of competition until late 2024 after undergoing knee surgery. The no.9 sustained a meniscus injury during his team’s 5-2 pre-season victory over AFC Wimbledon last month – a game in which he found the back of the net twice.
A club statement revealed: “Thiago suffered a meniscus injury during the Bees’ 5-2 victory over AFC Wimbledon on 20 July, which has been repaired. The striker will now begin a period of recovery and rehabilitation and is expected to return towards the end of the year.”
Brentford kick off their Premier League campaign with a home game against London rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday (August 18).
