Nigeria international center back William Troost-Ekong has joined English Championship side Watford from Italian club Udinese on a five-year contract. The 27-year-old defender reportedly flew into England yesterday to finalize the deal.
Troost-Ekong has 42 caps and represented his country at the 2018 World Cup and becomes the latest new addition to Vladimir Ivić’s squad. The transfer fee and other contract details were not disclosed.
“I believe in the project for Watford to get back into the Premier League,” he said.
“It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League and Watford has given me the platform now to get there. Looking at the squad, I believe we have the quality to do it.”
“I’ve always made tactical decisions for my career and this felt like the right step now for me and my family,” he added.
“As for my international future, I have shown what I can add to the Super Eagles. I have consistently contributed to the team’s success in the last five years and have had the pleasure of captaining the team.”
Born in the Netherlands, he began his senior career in the Eredivisie with Groningen and Dordrecht before spells in Belgium and Norway, with Gent and Haugesund respectively. He has spent the past two years in Italy with Udinese, playing 66 times for the Serie A side since his arrival from Turkish Süper Lig outfit Bursaspor in 2018.
A former Netherlands youth international, Troost-Ekong made his senior international debut for Nigeria in 2015 and has since proven himself to be an important part of the Super Eagles’ defence, playing three times at the World Cup in Russia and making six appearances at last year’s African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
He will wear squad number 5.
Watford FC also announced the signing of highly sought-after teenage striker Djibril Touré.
The 17-year-old, who has represented Guinea at youth international level, will join the club on January 1, 2021 from Ceffomig FC.
According to a statement, the Hornets beat off competition from a number of top European clubs to secure the signature of Touré, who joins on a five-and-a-half-year contract.