Watford are set to complete the signing of striker Vivaldo Semedo from Serie A club Udinese as new boss Paulo Pezzolano continues reshaping the squad.
The Angola-born forward has been pictured en route to England and is expected to become the Hornets’ first attacking addition of the summer.
Watford Close In on Semedo as Udinese Link Bears Fruit Again
The Hornets are preparing to add the 21-year-old striker to their ranks, with Transfermarkt putting his value at around €800,000 (£700,00). Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto, a respected Portuguese journalist, shared images of Semedo at the airport, with his arrival in Hertfordshire appearing imminent.
Semedo spent last season on loan with FC Vizela in Portugal’s second tier, where he found the net nine times and helped guide the side to a third-place finish. His performances caught the eye of the Watford hierarchy, who have a well-established relationship with Udinese due to their shared ownership under the Pozzo family.
🖤💛✈️ EXCL: Vivaldo Semedo a caminho de Inglaterra para assinar pelo Watford FC.
O avançado que esteve emprestado ao Vizela em 24/25 deixa a Udinese para jogar no Championship. O relógio está a contar confirmado. pic.twitter.com/KNYpIlcZik
— Sebastião Sousa-Pinto (@sebsousapinto) July 1, 2025
If finalised, Semedo would become the latest player to make the journey between the two clubs—a route previously taken by promotion heroes such as Matej Vydra and Odion Ighalo. He would be the 46th player to transfer between Watford and Udinese in some capacity since the Pozzo network was established.
Watford’s summer business is already well underway. New head coach Paulo Pezzolano has moved quickly since replacing Tom Cleverley, who was dismissed after the club’s 14th-place finish in the Championship. Pezzolano, who recently earned promotion with Real Valladolid in Spain, has overseen the arrivals of James Abankwah, Hector Kyprianou, Nathan Baxter and Marc Bola.
The attacking unit is now a key area of focus. Watford scored just 53 goals last season—fewer than any side in the top half of the table—and lacked a consistent scoring threat. While Semedo may not arrive as the immediate solution, his addition would offer pace and directness, as well as long-term potential.
Writer’s View
Vivaldo Semedo is a typical Pozzo-era Watford signing—raw, talented, and arriving from within their scouting orbit. His goal return in Portugal suggests a player with real potential, even if he isn’t yet the finished article. The key for Watford will be how quickly he adapts to the Championship, a league that’s often unforgiving for young forwards still learning their craft.
However, under Paulo Pezzolano, who favours a high-intensity style, Semedo could flourish if given time and the right support. Watford still need more proven firepower, but this looks like a clever early piece of business for a club looking to break out of mid-table obscurity.
