Aaron Hickey was one of the new faces to arrive at Brentford FC from Bologna in the summer transfer window.
The defender returned to the United Kingdom after spending two seasons with the Serie A side.
Operating mainly as a left wing-back and at times as a right wing-back, he managed five goals and one assist form 36 league matches last term. His displays in Italy convinced Brentford to invest in securing his services.
Riccardo Bigon was the sporting director of the Italian club when they signed the 20-year-old from Scottish side Heart of Midlothian in September 2020.
The director left the club at the end of last season.
The former Bologna chief has now revealed the now Brentford player was the player he signed even without seeing him in action for his former club.
Bigon made this claim while having a chat with Radio Firenzeviola, where he detailed the role of the sporting director.
“Everything starts from being able to identify the talented player contextualised to your reality. So how does the coach play, what are the teammates, the environment, the space in the squad. It is not difficult to find talents, but it is necessary find them according to your reality,” Bigon was quoted as saying by Tutto Bologna Web.
“Hickey, for example we have seen him remotely and he is the only player I have taken without seeing him live. If you have an eye, the video gives you the opportunity to view players abroad especially in the initial phase without go on an empty trip.”
