Celtic midfielder Odin Thiago Holm has detailed his admiration for Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, with the youngster changing his name after the Spaniard.
Speaking to the Scotsman, the 20-year-old Norwegian explained his love for the 32-year-old superstar, with Holm explaining why he changed his middle name to Thiago because of the midfielder.
Holm said: “I’ve always been a Barcelona fan and loved Thiago Alcantara so it was when I was 10 years old [I said to my parents] I wanted to add Thiago to my name. But they wouldn’t let me then, and it was until I was around 12 or 13 they did.
Players changing name is hardly anything new in football, yet Holm’s love for a sporting hero that has led him to add Thiago to his official title is nothing short of extreme.
Indeed, there’s a good chance that the now-Celtic player could one day face Thiago on the pitch, an encounter that could send Holm into a fanboy frenzy given his current middle name.
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Whilst the story is amusing, if borderline weird, Holm’s tale speaks volumes on just how impactful Thiago’s career has been on the next generation of midfielders in Europe.
Odin Thiago Holm will hope to replicate Liverpool hero
Having just signing for Celtic this summer, Holm will be keen to make an impact in Glasgow having arrived in Scotland with a huge reputation hanging over his head.
And the midfielder’s newest comments on his incredible middle name will only lead to Holm wanting to replicate his hero, with Thiago now likely aware of his new Scottish-based super-fan.
Whilst it’s hard to predict if Holm will ever reach Thiago’s levels, the midfielder is at a perfect club in Celtic to being the next chapter of his career, with the 20-year-old seemingly confident in his abilities.