Joao Pedro has signed a new contract with Watford that will keep him at the club until 2028.

The 20-year-old forward has been the stand-out player for the Hornets this season, and was the subject of intense transfer speculation during the summer transfer window.

Pedro was still in the youth set-up at Fluminense when the Hornets swopped to sign him in October 2018.

He officially became a Watford player in January 2020, and made his debut days later in the FA Cup against Tranmere.

READ MORE: Recent exclusive interview with Joao Pedro

His league debut followed later during the pandemic-affected season, when he played against Southampton in the Premier League.

Since then he has 58 starts (83 appearances in total) and scored 15 goals, including the Hornets’ first of the season which was enough to beat Sheffield United in front of the Sky cameras in August.

His first goal for the Hornets was against local rivals Luton Town, while he also netted in the 4-1 win against Manchester United last season.

This season Pedro has been outstanding, coping admirably against a back-drop of gossip which claimed he would leave the club during the transfer window.

Not only did he stay, but he won the club’s August Player of the Month award and has now put pen to paper on this new deal.

When I sat down with Pedro at the training ground a couple of weeks ago, it was obvious the love the Watford fans have for him is both felt and reciprocated.

“I feel part of a family,” he said. “Every single person at the training ground has shown me a lot of care and affection, and I believe that isn’t just for what I do on the pitch but also for the kind of person I am.

“I also think I have a relationship with our fans. I hear the songs with my name when I am on the pitch and I do my best to give back the love they give to me. When I am out on the pitch I am trying to repay the good feelings they give me. I hear the songs, I feel the love and I truly appreciate it.

“Since I came here as a young boy, this is what Watford and the fans represent: one big family.”

Pedro will turn 21 on Monday (September 26) and looking back to that interview with him, he dropped what now appear very heavy hints that this new deal was on the horizon.

“I’m happy here at Watford, I know everyone. I’ve enjoyed my three years at the club so far and I’m happy to carry on here,” is what he told me.