Wilson relishing Thiago link-up at Brentford
Callum Wilson is excited by the prospect of playing with Igor Thiago and is hopeful of reaching 100 Premier League goals quickly after joining Brentford on a free transfer.
Wilson has penned a one-year contract at the Bees after leaving West Ham United, which was relegated to the EFL Championship at the end of last season.
The 34-year-old scored seven goals in 32 Premier League appearances last season despite only 11 of those outings being starts.
Only Jarrod Bowen (nine) netted more league goals for the Hammers in 2025-2026, which represented a bounce-back campaign for Wilson on an individual level, after he failed to net in 18 outings for Newcastle United in the competition the previous season.
Excluding that 2024-2025 campaign, Wilson has scored at least seven goals in eight of his past nine Premier League seasons, and he is on 95 overall in the competition.
Wilson netted 41 top-flight goals for Bournemouth and 47 for Newcastle, before his stint at West Ham.
One of his aims in west London will be to bring up his century.
"I don't shy away from the fact that I'm five goals away from 100, so I feel like five chances are going to come pretty quickly here and it'll be a great opportunity to achieve that," he said.
Keith Andrews' side only missed out on European qualification on goal difference last season after finishing ninth, with striker Igor Thiago netting 22 times to finish second in the golden boot race behind Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who scored 27.
Asked about the Brazilian's outstanding campaign, Wilson said: "Many people in my position as a striker, off the back of Thiago having a fantastic season, would probably shy away from the challenge of joining the club.
"For me, it's about coming and sharing the load, helping out as a striking department and also adding my qualities as well.
"We're different strikers, but sometimes I'm guessing we'll play together as well, so it'll be nice to be part of it and help the team climb up the league. The club were so close to Europe last year and, this year, hopefully, we can get over the line.
"[Thiago] had a fantastic season. I'm here to push, to compete and, like I say, it's about being a striking unit or department.
"Strikers don't score 20-plus goals for no reason; there's obviously service behind that and team-mates who are looking for you. There are going to be opportunities."
