Igor Julio is looking forward to continuing his fascinating footballing journey with West Ham United.
The Brazilian defender linked up with the Hammers on Monday on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, progressing a career that has already included an historic UEFA Youth League victory with FC Red Bull Salzburg, UEFA Europa Conference League and Coppa Italia finals with ACF Fiorentina and adventures in the Premier League and UEFA Europa League with the Seagulls.
Now, Igor, as he is simply known, brings his ball-playing, aerial duel-dominating defensive talents to East London, where he will join Head Coach Graham Potter’s exciting, evolving West Ham squad.
The Hammers’ eighth summer signing adds depth, competition and versatility, with the 27-year-old joining El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mateus Fernandes, Mads Hermansen, Soungoutou Magassa, Jean-Clair Todibo, Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson in signing on the dotted line at London Stadium.
He also joins fellow Brazilians Lucas Paquetá and Luis Guilherme in the Irons’ dressing room and is relishing the prospect of linking up with his compatriots and new teammates in Claret and Blue.
Speaking to West Ham TV, Igor discussed his junior career in Brazil and Austria, breaking through to senior football, moving to Serie A, his Conference League final appearance against the Hammers and his enjoyment of the English Premier League...
Igor, welcome to West Ham United! How does it feel to be a Hammer?
“Thank you. I’m very happy to be here, to have this opportunity, and I hope to contribute everything I can on the pitch.”
What was it that attracted you to West Ham United?
“West Ham is a big Club in England. I already knew about the Club, I had already played against them before, and from the moment the speculation arose, I got really excited and delighted to have the opportunity with West Ham.”
What has the Head Coach, Graham Potter, said to you about the Club, and how excited are you to be a part of what he’s creating here at West Ham?
“First of all, he gave me the opportunity to come to a big Club and told me he would use me, that he would give me the chance I really need.
“That was very convincing. He’s also a very well-known coach. I think it’s important for me, especially at this point in my career, to work with a manager who has so much knowledge of the Premier League.”
Can you tell us about your qualities as a player and as a person?
“As a player, I’m the type who always wants to learn and always wants to improve. I believe I’m a player with a lot of quality on the ball and also very aggressive without the ball.
“And as a person, first of all, I’m humble, I’m simple, and I’m someone who likes to be with family and with friends, and to help the people who have helped me get to where I am today. So I’d say I’m a very simple and humble person, but very happy and grateful to God for everything.”
Please tell us about your career. How did you start playing football in Brazil?
“I started when I was 12 years old in Brazil. As with many Brazilian players, I left home very early. I went to different schools and nearby cities until I managed to find some clubs where the academy took me on, and I eventually turned professional at Red Bull [Brasil], before moving to FC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.”
You moved to Austria at the age of just 18, so how was that experience?
“It was an incredible experience for me. I spent three years in Austria, and I can say today that a lot of my adaptation to Europe was thanks to Austria. It was a very important moment in my career. I’m just grateful to everyone who helped me understand European football there and helped me reach the top level by going through Austria as well.”
You won the UEFA Youth League in 2017 with FC Red Bull Salzburg, beating some of Europe’s top teams, including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. What an achievement!
“Firstly, it was a dream come true to play in the U19 UEFA Champions League, and then to beat Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Barcelona and Benfica was a dream come true. I was very happy, and it was also a unique experience in my life.”
You moved to Italy and reached two cup finals with ACF Fiorentina in 2023, showing your quality?
“It was a difficult time, but also an incredible moment in my career because I reached two finals in the same year. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the titles, but it was still an amazing experience.”
Of course, you played against West Ham United in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague?
“I don’t have great memories. But as I said, it was a unique experience, and it was my second final in my career [after the 2023 Coppa Italia, which Fiorentina lost to Inter after taking an early lead]. And it’s all learning. That was when I understood a bit more about the size of West Ham.
“Anyway, it’s part of football, and I’m very happy and very grateful to have had that opportunity too.”
You then came to England and have played in the Premier League and the UEFA Europa League with Brighton & Hove Albion?
“Yes, I had the chance to go to Brighton and to fulfil a dream as well, which was to play in the UEFA Europa League. I’m very grateful for everything I went through at Brighton during those years, for everything I learnt there, and to all the staff who helped me grow and evolve as a player, too.”
How much are you looking forward to meeting your new teammates, including your fellow Brazilians Lucas Paquetá and Luis Guilherme?
“Yes, it’s always great to arrive at a Club that has other Brazilians. I really want to meet them in person and work with them, and I hope we can achieve good things this year and this season, and bring joy to West Ham fans.”
Are you looking forward to living in London?
“I’m really excited to live in London. Yes, I’m very happy and fulfilled. For us living in Brazil, it’s always a dream to travel to London, and now I’ll have the chance to live in London.”
What can we expect from you in a West Ham United shirt?
“From the first to the last day, I’ll give everything I have on the pitch. I’ll do everything I can so the team can win matches and the fans can, from the beginning, connect with me and enjoy my performances on the pitch.
“You can expect a huge desire to win, a strong will to learn and to give my best for this shirt.”
What do you know about West Ham United and the identity and history of the Club?
“Well, I know it’s a very big Club in England. The shirt has some weight to it. And what also attracted me was the fact that West Ham were the first English team to win the UEFA Europa Conference League, and I lost to West Ham!
“So I know it’s a very respected team, and I think it’s the ideal Club for what I’m looking for in my career, especially at this moment in my life.”
What is the most important thing to you when it comes to representing West Ham United and wearing the Claret and Blue shirt?
“For me, the most important thing is to make my family, my agents and my friends proud. And also to repay all the trust that everyone at West Ham is placing in me.”
