Brentford announce £30m signing of Club Brugge striker Igor Thiago

Brentford have announced the ­signing of Igor Thiago from Club Brugge on a five-year contract for a transfer fee of around £30m.

The Brazilian striker has scored 16 goals in 24 Belgium Pro League matches and will join the club on 1 July. The Brentford manager, Thomas Frank, said on the club’s website: “Thiago is a very exciting striker who fits the role in our team.”

This comes after speculation of Ivan Toney leaving Brentford in the summer. Toney, who has scored three goals in the Premier League since his return from a long-term betting ban, has drawn reported interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.

Last week Frank said: “It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer. It can be ‘expensive’ to sell your best player, but conversely I also know that this summer he only has one year left on his contract with us. We also know what he is worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.”

Thiago, 22, has played for Cruzeiro in his home country and Ludogorets in Bulgaria. Frank said of the 6ft 2in forward: “I’m very pleased that we have been proactive as a club; big credit to Matthew Benham [the owner], Phil Giles [director of football] and Lee Dykes [technical director] for the hard work they have done.

“We are ahead of the curve. We have signed a key player for a key position. 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.”