Team Ian joined to breathe life into (7)

I believe the answer is:

animate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'breathe life into' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'team ian joined' is the wordplay.
'team ian' anagrams to 'ANIMATE'.
However, I am not clear how this is indicated.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for animate that I've seen before include "Encourage" , "Enliven, alive" , "Eat main (anag.)" , "Provide inspiration" , "Living" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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