Watford sold their ambition to Nathan Baxter, and that convinced him to head back south.
The former Chelsea goalkeeper has signed for the Hornets on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers, and said having the club’s aims spelt out to him made their offer too persuasive to ignore.
“I really bought into what they were saying and I'm really excited to be here,” said the 26-year-old, whose move to Vicarage Road was confirmed earlier today.
“What player doesn't have the dream of playing in the Premier League?
“To sit in front of a club and they tell you that is their ambition, it's obviously very attractive.”
The keeper revealed that he was aware of Watford being keen to talk to him before the 2024/25 campaign had ended.
“I knew about the club's interest last season and as soon as the season finished they wanted to meet me,” Baxter, who played cricket for Kent and England Youth, told watfordfc.com.
“I had a great conversation with the goalkeeping coach and a great conversation with Gian Luca Nani and they really sold what they saw in me and where they see my career going.”
Baxter’s Mum attended Watford Grammar School for Girls, and some of his family are already Hornets supporters, so he won’t have to do much to win over the backing of many of those closest to him.
His first challenge will be to try and oust Egil Selvik from the team, the Norwegian international having confirmed himself as Watford’s first-choice keeper after signing in January.
Baxter said he is ready to put in the hard graft, and use the move to display what he can do having already played in the Championship for Hull City and in the Scottish Premier League for Ross County.
“I think this is the perfect platform to be able to show people what I can do,” he explained.
“I’m always a player who gives my best and I’ll give everything I possibly can, day in, day out.”
Share