Brentford have handed Emiliano Marcondes the number 17 shirt for when he joins in January.

The Dane agreed a pre-contract agreement in the summer and will join on a free transfer when the window opens, subject to international clearance.

The number 17 has been vacant after Konstantin Kerschbaumer left the club on loan in the summer, meaning there could well be a scrap for it ahead of next season, assuming the Austrian returns to Griffin Park.

Kerschbaumer had a productive weekend at loan side Arminia Bielefeld although he ended up on the losing side.

Emiliano Marcondes poses with the Brentford scarf at Griffin Park

He set up Andreas Voglsammer early on before he grabbed his third goal in four games to make it 3-2 but SSV Jahn Regensburg held on to claim victory.

Smith said when the loan move was confirmed: “We have allowed him to join Arminia Bielefeld on loan so he can get the games he needs.

“Playing regular matches will keep his development going, not playing regularly could stall his progress and we do not want that. He is a player we still have high hopes for.”