Learning to live with the death of a parent at any age is difficult. But for Brentford's new No 9 Igor Thiago, the loss of his dad at a young age has been the driving force in his inspirational journey from bricklayer in Brazil to the Premier League.
“When I was 13 years old, my father passed away,” Thiago told Brentford's official website, after his move from Club Brugge was confirmed on 1 July.
“I started to work at the fair carrying fruit. 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 a 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.”
Igor Thiago’s first interview: I want to make history at Brentford
Helping to support his mother, as a teenager Thiago's hopes of playing professional football looked no more than a pipe dream. Indeed, it was his brother who was the footballer of the family, and Igor's first break at Gremio Ocidental only came because his sibling played for them.
He went on to play for Vere FC, who compete at regional level in Parana, southern Brazil, and caught the eye of professional second-division club Cruzeiro. After scoring 10 goals in 64 matches in all competitions for Cruzeiro, he was sold to Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad in March 2022.
He scored 15 goals in 32 league matches for Ludogorets, winning the 2022/23 title before moving to Club Brugge in Belgium last summer.
Thiago went on to score 18 goals in 34 league matches last campaign, winning another title, and he was named the 2023/24 UEFA Conference League Young Player of the Season after scoring seven goals as Club Brugge reached the semi-finals.
The forward, who has been handed the No 9 shirt by Brentford, is now ready to embrace his latest challenge and help the Bees improve on last season's 16th-place finish.
“I'm ready to be in the Premier League because of the moves I've made in my career,” he said. “I think everyone here can expect a lot from me as a player, as an athlete, and that I will always want to win.
“I'm very happy and very pleased to be the first Brazilian here in Brentford. I think showing a little of the culture, Brazilian football and Brazilian energy within the club, is going to be very important.
“They'll get to know a little of this Brazilian flair, this Brazilian football with will, with determination and good energy. I always dream, because I think the most important thing in an athlete's life is to always dream.
“I want to help my team on the pitch with pressure; help my team-mates to hold on to the ball and score lots of goals. I think that's the most important thing: the goals. I want to make history here at Brentford.”
"I jump, jump, jump!" 😂
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 1, 2024
Go behind the scenes as Igor Thiago arrives at the Gtech 🇧🇷🍿
Brentford's 2024/25 preparations
Brentford's first pre-season match ahead of 2024/25 is on 23 July against Boreham Wood.
Thomas Frank's side kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday 18 August.
