Watford has officially signed former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio on a free transfer, marking a new chapter in his career. The 36-year-old concluded his time with the Hammers after a 3-1 defeat to Leicester City on December 3, 2024, where he suffered a broken leg in a subsequent car crash just days later.

Antonio recently played for Al-Sailiya in Qatar, making a total of four appearances before returning to training with Watford under manager Alessio Dionisi. He has now signed a one-year deal with the club, expressing his enthusiasm:

Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can.

The signing is subject to international clearance, allowing him to potentially participate in the upcoming Championship home match against Stoke City. After being released by West Ham United in June 2025 following a decade-long tenure, Antonio briefly returned to the club for rehabilitation, playing two games for the under-21 side in Premier League 2.

His journey also included a training stint with Leicester City last December and a near transfer to Brentford that fell through due to a torn calf muscle.

Before joining West Ham in September 2015, Antonio had experience in the EFL with clubs like Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest. Now donning the number 18 shirt at Vicarage Road, he becomes Watford's 12th signing of the summer, as the Hornets currently sit 12th in the league, with a record of two wins, two draws, and two losses in their first six matches under Dionisi.