Watford complete first signing under new manager Roy Hodgson
Watford complete first signing under new manager Roy Hodgson
Watford have completed their fourth signing of the January transfer window, and their first under new manager Roy Hodgson, who was announced as taking over from Claudio Ranieri on Tuesday.
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the club’s manager.
Welcome to Watford, Roy!
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 25, 2022
This comes in the shape of Bourdeaux winger Samuel Kalu, who has joined the Hornets on a deal until 2025 for an undisclosed fee.
He’s arrived
Welcome to Watford, Samuel Kalu! pic.twitter.com/3L0X1GASYl
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 26, 2022
The Nigerian winger follows Hassane Kamara in making the move from Ligue 1 to Watford this January, while the club have also added Samir and Eyo Kayembe to their ranks in a busy January window that has been overseen by those in the club hierarchy.
A Watford statement read:
‘Watford FC is delighted to announce the signing of Nigerian international winger Samuel Kalu on a deal until June 2025 from French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
The fourth new signing of the January window, Kalu joins full-back Hassane Kamara, central defender Samir and midfielder Edo Kayembe at Vicarage Road.
The 24-year-old signs for the Hornets following three-and-a-half successful years in France’s top tier, where he scored nine goals.
Capable of playing on either flank, Kalu is a versatile option in a competitive squad, typically operating on the right wing.
The quick-footed attacker first played for Slovakian side AS Trenčín after moving to Europe from his native Nigeria, and earned a switch to Belgian giants KAA Gent in 2017 following impressive performances. He then joined Bordeaux in August 2018, where he has since made 86 appearances for Les Girondins.’
What next for Watford?
Watford still face a race to stay in the top flight, currently sitting in the relegation zone and set to compete with newly minted Newcastle United to avoid the drop.
Onto their third manager of the season already, it needs to be a case of third time lucky to prevent them slipping into the Championship.
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