Watford have strengthened their Championship season aspirations with an impressive new announcement. Angelo Ogbonna has signed a one-year deal with the Hornets.
Former Italy international, Ogbonna, has just been unveiled as Tom Cleverley’s new centre-back signing, with the one-year deal supposedly also including an extension.
We’ve completed the signing of experienced defender Angelo Ogbonna following his departure from West Ham! 🇮🇹
Benvenuto, @OgbonnaOfficial 👊
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 27, 2024
The 36-year-old was released earlier this summer by West Ham United, after a nine-year spell with the club came to an end. Ogbonna racked up 249 professional appearances for the London side and will now drop down a division to play in the second tier.
Last season, the new signing played just 11 times in the top-flight, but featured three times in the Europa League and is clearly still able to maintain the fitness levels and quality needed in the Championship.
With previous stints at Juventus, Crotone, and boyhood club Torino, Cleverley will be hoping that the Italian defender will offer some great defensive stability and much-needed experience in an increasingly competitive league.
Ogbonna has had a fairly decorated career, winning two Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia with the Old Lady. The 36-year-old was also part of the Hammers’ UEFA Europa Conference League winning team in 2023. His personal achievement of becoming the Italian to have featured in the second most amount of Premier League games cannot be overlooked.
Upon joining the Hornets, the former Juventus centre-back had some encouraging words for the Championship outfit, addressing his aspirations and ambition in a Watford shirt:
“I cannot wait to play for Watford. It is very important to bring in some experience, like with Moussa (Sissoko).
“I have spoken with the manager a couple of times, so I know his style of play. I am here to try my best and to try to help the team.”
The Italian, who has made 13 appearances for his national side, joins a host of summer incomings at Vicarage Road this season, including the likes of: Pierre Dwomoh, Kayky Almeida, Yasser Larouci, Moussa Sissoko, Rocco Vata, Mamadou Doumbia, Jonathan Bond, and Antonio Tikvic.
Having now made nine signings, both Cleverley and Watford may be satisfied with their fresh crop of players heading further into the second-tier season. This is looking especially promising with Watford sitting in second place, only behind Sunderland on goal difference.
Ogbonna will be added to a defence that has kept two clean sheets so far this season, after his new side defeated MK Dons 5-0 in the EFL Cup first round, before thrashing Stoke City 3-0 in the league.
Writer’s View
Ogbonna stepping down to the Championship seems like a perfect move for both parties. Even with the 36-year-old reaching the twilight of his career, there should still be no doubt whether the Italian can ‘cut it’ in the second division.
The undoubted quality of the former West Ham defender is still there, and the experience he will bring is a massive benefit to Watford. With the stability of Sissoko and Ogbonna now embedded into the eleven, surrounded by emerging talent, there should be no reason as to why this deal won’t be successful.
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