Southend United 'thrilled' Watford forward Britt Assombalonga will be staying for the season

10:50am Wednesday 19th December 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Southend United manager Paul Sturrock says he is "thrilled" and "delighted" that Watford forward Britt Assombalonga will be remaining with the League Two side until the end of the season.

Assombalonga's loan spell with the Shrimpers was due to expire in January but it has been confirmed this morning that he will be remaining with Southend until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has scored 12 goals in 25 outings so far this season to help the Seasiders into sixth position.

Sturrock told Southend's website: "We’re delighted to be keeping Britt here with us until the end of the season, it’s excellent news.

"We would like to thank Gian Luca (Nani, Watford's technical director) and everyone at Watford for allowing him to stay with us.

"The young lad is really enjoying his football and has bonded well with all the squad so it seemed right for him to remain with us considering how well he has done on the pitch.

"With us looking to get promoted it’s important we can keep players like Britt who can win us matches, so we’re thrilled he’ll be here until May."

Assombalonga’s story is an inspiring one as the forward was only playing for his Sunday league team three years ago but he impressed during one of Watford’s community trust courses and was recommended to the Hornets Academy staff.

He was handed a scholarship and subsequently his first professional contract, which was extended until 2013 in March.

Last season Assombalonga excelled during his two loan spells – scoring 11 goals in 15 appearances at Ryman Premier side Wealdstone and five goals in as many games at Braintree Town in the Conference.

His loan spell at Braintree was extended by another month but the Hornets recalled the youngster and he went on to make two starts and two substitute appearances.

With the influx of new signings this summer, Watford decided to loan out the forward.

Comments(12)

D.unstable says...
11:02am Wed 19 Dec 12

Would be interested to know if we have extended his contract as a proviso, thought it was due to expire 2013, which assuming the Mayan's got it all wrong is not too far away.

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Colin West's mullet says...
11:05am Wed 19 Dec 12

D.unstable wrote:
Would be interested to know if we have extended his contract as a proviso, thought it was due to expire 2013, which assuming the Mayan's got it all wrong is not too far away.
he's a real prospect, can't see any way we'd have left it to chance.

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Sahorn says...
11:11am Wed 19 Dec 12

Well done Britt.

Keep consistently banging em in and your career can take off.

Natural goalscorers at a premium and can't see how we can fail to extend his contract.

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holtonian says...
12:06pm Wed 19 Dec 12

Britt will be back i am certain of that. Unless Southend slap down a fair offer for him and Britt gets the option. Young fit and strong, plus gets goals.

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jasonwatford says...
1:40pm Wed 19 Dec 12

Right thing to do for the rest of the season. Britt is very much in watford fc plans , he will have to be patient and maybe loaned out again next year then his time will come.

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londomollari says...
1:47pm Wed 19 Dec 12

Good move---he will come back a better player, and I am sure his contract will be extended.
I expect to see Bond out on loan for more experience in the new year, and a goalkeeper to come in (on loan!)

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SAHornet says...
2:04pm Wed 19 Dec 12

At first, thought it was a bad idea and would rather have seen him move up to league 1 from Jan onwards but thinking about it some more, maybe an extended spell in league 2 and a loan to league 1 club next season would be best for him and WFC. Our new management structure do like to take the extended view on things which is great really.

Keep working hard Britt and good things will surely come your way.

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mooneysmagic says...
4:34pm Wed 19 Dec 12

holtonian wrote:
Britt will be back i am certain of that. Unless Southend slap down a fair offer for him and Britt gets the option. Young fit and strong, plus gets goals.
Can't see Southend would have enough money to buy him. If he is sold, I would expect him to go to a more ambitious club.

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jalvin says...
5:45pm Wed 19 Dec 12

SAHornet wrote:
At first, thought it was a bad idea and would rather have seen him move up to league 1 from Jan onwards but thinking about it some more, maybe an extended spell in league 2 and a loan to league 1 club next season would be best for him and WFC. Our new management structure do like to take the extended view on things which is great really.

Keep working hard Britt and good things will surely come your way.
If he keeps banging them in like he has been then he could just stay with the shrimpers next season, as he'll probably help them go up!

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BarryTheHornet says...
7:02pm Wed 19 Dec 12

Are SAHornet and Sahorn the same person?

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SAHornet says...
8:48pm Wed 19 Dec 12

BarryTheHornet wrote:
Are SAHornet and Sahorn the same person?
No

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Sahorn says...
10:11pm Wed 19 Dec 12

I think SAHornet drinks Castle next to the braai and I drink CAMRA best ales next to the coal fire..

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