A winding journey to the explosion
However, everything was not easy for the strong Igor. He negotiated his departure on Belgian soil well with four goals in six games. Then, like many number nines who arrive in a new world, he dried up.
A drought of nine matches which gave rise to many doubts in the north of the country. “Without wanting to say that Thiago is ‘a problem’, I still have doubts regarding the fact that he is a striker for Club Brugge,” explained Marc Degryse for Het Laatste Nieuws at the end of September.
From flop to top and in better shape than Mohamed Amoura, Igor Thiago is on his way to being Club Brugge’s most prolific No.9 since Carlos Bacca
Since December, no one has asked the question anymore. 18 roses planted in 15 matches: this is the striker’s exceptional record with, as a bonus, a hat-trick once morest RWDM. The fruit of the work for the person concerned. “I feel like I’m progressing a lot, in different aspects of my game,” he explained in January. “It’s thanks to the effort I put in in training and during matches. The adaptation was instantaneous. I have good stats for someone who just joined the team. This is extremely positive for me. But I feel like I can do even more than what I’m doing.”
Before him, the last scorer to have passed the 20 goal mark was Carlos Bacca in 2012/2013 with 28 goals. With 26 goals in 40 games, there is no doubt that Thiago will surpass him in the coming weeks.
Club Brugge’s top scorers ©IPM Graphics
Why did Brentford choose Thiago?
The Brazilian striker was courted last summer. So known to European clubs. Several German clubs were keen on the idea of bringing him in, according to several Flemish media, including Frankfurt.
In addition to his impressive statistics, the player trained by Cruzeiro is not unknown in his country. He had also been selected to play the matches with the U23s in order to qualify for the Paris Olympics. But he had to decline because of the schedule. ”It’s a dream to play for my country one day. Due to the circumstances, this is unfortunately not possible today, but it motivates me to continue working hard,” he reacted. In the near future, the player might be called up to the Seleçao and, therefore, increase his price. An element that his new training obviously took into account when choosing the player.
Igor Thiago called up for the first time with the Brazilian hopes… but the striker prefers to stay in Bruges
Then, if he is Brazilian, the player also has Bulgarian nationality. Far from being trivial since thanks to this piece of paper, it no longer becomes extra-community. A blessing since players who do not have an EU passport are limited in the different squads.
Finally, the English club will certainly have to do without Ivan Toney next summer. The Englishman, who became an international, was suspended for several months because of a betting affair. Since his return, the 27-year-old striker has been a hit. “It is obvious that it will be sold this summer,” explained Thomas Frank at a press conference. So he needed a replacement. By anticipating, the Bees can already see further.
Vincent Mannaert: the best in Belgium
If the figures give the feeling of a robbery, they especially underline one thing: Club Brugge is the best seller in Belgium. Obviously, Vincent Mannaert is no stranger to this success. Since 2013-2014, his appointment as general administrator, the strong man has brought back… 255.6 million euros in beneficiary transfers. Unsurprisingly, no one does better in Belgium.
Club Bruges has its new CEO: Bob Madou will succeed Vincent Mannaert
Nevertheless, from Bacca in 2013 to De Ketelaere in 2022, Thiago will remain one of the best moves of the director of the Blauw en Zwart. The Club’s strong man negotiated this transfer last weekend to London, Nieuwsblad tells us. In complete discretion since no one had anticipated this transfer. Not even Fabrizio Romano, proof that the man also knows how to keep his good veins for himself, without leaking. New proof of his professionalism.
Earthquake at Club Brugge: Vincent Mannaert will leave his position as CEO at the end of the season
Arriving for eight million euros this year from Ludogorets, he is the fifth most expensive player in the club’s history. But the sports director managed to quintuple his selling price in just six months. A final tour de force before his departure at the end of the season which has already been recorded.
