Drogba 2.0? Who is Forest’s new signing Igor Jesus?

A darting run between two centre-backs, a timely nutmeg to make some room and then a cool deflected finish into the bottom corner.

Igor Jesus stands on the advertising boards with his arms outstretched in front of the Botafogo fans.

His winner against European champions Paris St-Germain in the Club World Cup group stages was a moment to remember.

Four days earlier the striker was also on target for the Brazilian Serie A champions against Seattle Sounders.

The 24-year-old was named player of the match in his opening two games at the tournament before defeats by Atletico Madrid and then Palmeiras in the last 16.

That was the final appearance in Botafogo colours for the forward, who is nicknamed Little Frog and is a huge fan of the Anime series Dragon Ball Z.

He has joined Premier League side Nottingham Forest on a four-year deal for a reported fee of £10m.

Jesus got his nickname ‘Sapinho’, meaning Little Frog, from his grandfather when he was a child. Depending on who you ask, it’s either because he made acrobatic saves as a goalkeeper, or because he had a very small body and a very big head.

He would also occasionally skip school to watch Japanese cartoon Dragon Ball Z.

In the show, protagonist Goku defeats baddies with a special move called Kamehameha which Jesus honours with his usual celebration of putting his wrists together, opening his palms and locking his arms out perpendicularly in front of him.

He’s had a lot of chances to perfect it. In 206 professional appearances he’s netted 70 goals.

Jesus started his career at Coritiba, a then Serie-B side based in Brazil’s eighth largest city.

As an 18-year-old he scored three goals in 24 appearances to help Coritiba secure promotion.

But, after initially struggling at a higher level, he left midway through the following campaign to join Emirati side Shabab Al-Ahli.

He spent four seasons in the Middle East, scoring 46 goals in 92 games, before returning to Brazil by joining Botafogo in July 2024.

There he’s excelled. He led the line as his side lifted the Serie A and Copa Libertadores titles last season.

Unsurprisingly, the scouting departments at numerous club around the world are on high alert.

Jesus even made his Brazil debut last October, scoring in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win in difficult conditions in Chile.

Jesus has joined Nottingham Forest as they prepare to return to European competition for the first time since 1995-96.

His former Botafogo team-mates, defenders Jair Cunha and Cuiabano, are also reportedly attracting interest from the Premier League club.

Against PSG, Botafogo had just 25. 3% possession, and relied on Jesus’ hold-up play and ability to create chances out of seemingly nowhere.

According to Opta, Jesus had the third-most touches of any Botafogo player (49) – remarkable for a centre-forward when his team had so little of the ball.

He also contested a team-high 16 duels and won five aerial battles.

When they took on Seattle, Botafogo often went long. Despite being 5ft 10in (1. 78m) Jesus won six of his seven aerial duals in that game, while his winner was a header.

His game suits Forest’s style of play, where he would also offer a bit more mobility than current talisman Chris Wood.

After nutmegging Willian Pacho and beating Gianluigi Donnarumma on the world stage, Jesus might be preparing for a jump to the next level.