Watford have agreed a deal to sign Peterborough United captain Hector Kyprianou on a free transfer, with the midfielder set to become Paulo Pezzolano’s first signing at Vicarage Road.
The 23-year-old will join the Championship side this summer after the expiry of his contract at London Road.
Watford Win Race for Kyprianou in Smart Free Transfer Move
The highly-rated defensive midfielder had attracted interest from elsewhere but is now expected to make the step up to the Championship with the Hornets.
Kyprianou becomes the first addition of the Paulo Pezzolano era at Vicarage Road. The Uruguayan was appointed earlier this month following the surprise dismissal of Tom Cleverley, and the capture of Kyprianou signals the beginning of his squad rebuild.
According to journalist Santi Aouna, Watford have moved swiftly to secure the services of the former Leyton Orient academy graduate, who spent three seasons with Peterborough. He made 40 appearances during the 2024–25 campaign, captaining the team and scoring five goals, including one in the EFL Trophy final.
🚨EXCL: 🟡⚫️🐝🇨🇾 #Championship |
🔐 Watford have agreed deal to sign 23 year old Cyprus defensive midfielder Hector Kyprianou from Peterborough pic.twitter.com/F3HwvDjKJD
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) May 14, 2025
While Kyprianou’s individual form dipped amid a tough season for Posh, his leadership qualities and physical presence remained evident. He leaves London Road having made over 100 appearances for the club, following a £400,000 move from Orient in 2022.
Watford’s midfield options include Imran Louza, Edo Kayembe, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Pierre Dwomoh, and Moussa Sissoko. However, the squad lacks a natural defensive shield—something Kyprianou is well equipped to provide.
His ability to play in a double pivot and shield the defence while progressing the ball makes him a potentially valuable asset in Pezzolano’s system. Kyprianou’s arrival could also allow other midfielders greater attacking freedom, including Kayembe, who has evolved into a more advanced role.
Writer’s View
This looks like a shrewd bit of business by Watford. Hector Kyprianou brings leadership, grit, and tactical discipline—qualities that the Hornets have arguably lacked in recent seasons. While his performances at Peterborough tailed off slightly, that likely reflects a struggling team rather than a lack of ability. Given his age, international experience, and previous Championship exposure with Hull City (albeit brief), Kyprianou could quickly establish himself as a key cog in Pezzolano’s midfield.
Signing him on a free transfer only adds to the value, and if the new manager can get the best out of him, this could be one of the Championship’s best under-the-radar deals of the summer.
