Watford have been particularly active in the transfer market this summer as they aim to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
Keep on top of all the ins and outs with our transfer tracker.
ARRIVALS
SEPTEMBER 1 - Formose Mendy (loan with a permanent option from Lorient)
Mendy was Watford's first-choice defensive signing all summer and they got him over the line before the window closed.
After talks with several other options, the Senegalese signed on loan.
SEPTEMBER 1 - Jeremy Petris (€1.5m from Charleroi)
Watford needed a new right-back after the sale of Ryan Andrews to Young Boys and Petris arrived late on deadline day.
The Frenchman has played for eight clubs across France, Italy, Bulgaria and Belgium - and now heads to England.
SEPTEMBER 1 - Nikoloz Chikovani (undisclosed free from Dinamo Tbilisi)
Chikovani was announced as the first of three deadline-day signings and an immediate loan move is being sought for the Georgian starlet.
He will be placed somewhere he can develop further before potentially integrating into the squad in January.
AUGUST 28 - Nampalys Mendy (free agent)
Senegalese midfielder Mendy arrives on a free transfer after leaving Lens this summer.
He is best known for his seven years at Leicester between 2016-23, where he won the FA Cup and played in the Champions League.
AUGUST 8 - Max Alleyne (season-long loan from Manchester City)
Alleyne becomes Watford's tenth summer signing before a ball has even been kicked.
The defender has little senior experience but is considered an elite talent at City, and reportedly signed a new five-year deal there before heading to WD18.
JULY 22 - Caleb Wiley (season-long loan from Chelsea)
Wiley is back at Vicarage Road having impressed in 10 appearances at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
The USA international provides pace and energy from left-back and will compete with Marc Bola and James Morris for a starting berth.
JULY 18 – Nestory Irankunda (undisclosed fee from Bayern Munich)
Australia international Irankunda has arrived from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich after 12 months in January.
A winger blessed with pace and a fierce shot, Irankunda has promised to make Watford fans "go wild".
More: Nestory Irankunda "could cry" as he is handed shirt number 66 for Watford
JULY 16 - Luca Kjerrumgaard (loan from Udinese)
Kjerrumgaard technically arrives via Gino Pozzo-owned Serie A club Udinese for work permit reasons – but to all intents and purposes he is a Watford player, with an obligation to sign permanently next summer included in the deal.
The striker scored 22 goals in the Danish second tier and attracted interest from Serie A champions Napoli and Portuguese giants Porto, explaining why Watford are particularly excited to have secured his services.
Another versatile wide player, the Hornets initially considered Maamma a 'project' signing when they opportunistically swooped to sign him for a fee the Watford Observer understands was less than £300,000.
The 19-year-old, included in the Under-20 African Cup of Nations team of the tournament earlier this year, has impressed the club’s technical staff since signing, though, and is now thought to be in the first-team picture.
JULY 5 – Vivaldo Semedo (permanent deal from Udinese)
Semedo heads to WD18 on a five-year contract from Udinese, with his skills considered perfect for the Championship.
The 20-year-old scored nine goals in 25 appearances on loan at Portuguese second-tier side Vizela last season and stands at 6’4 tall.
More: Watford reveal green away kit for 2025/26 Championship season
JUNE 30 – James Abankwah (loan from Udinese)
Abankwah was a hit during his loan spell at Vicarage Road in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign and the club have moved to bring him back for the new season.
The pacey defender is likely to be a key figure in the centre of defence but is also capable of playing at right-back.
Watford brought Bola back to England after he made 56 appearances in two seasons for Turkish top-flight side Samsunspor.
The left-back, who came through Arsenal’s academy, is best known for spells at Blackpool and Middlesbrough.
JUNE 2 – Nathan Baxter (free transfer from Bolton Wanderers)
Baxter, who has a Watford-supporting family, signed a two-year deal with the club after leaving Bolton Wanderers.
The former Chelsea goalkeeper will provide competition for likely number one Egil Selvik.
MAY 19 – Hector Kyprianou (free transfer from Peterborough)
Kyprianou had been in Watford’s sights for a while and finally completed a move upon the expiry of his Peterborough contract this summer.
The 24-year-old midfielder, one of Posh’s key performers across the last three seasons, will be aiming to establish himself in midfield but can also play at centre-back.
DEPARTURES
SEPTEMBER 1 - Travis Akomeah (loan to Gillingham)
Akomeah will get the first senior experience of his career in League Two.
He signs for the Gills until January, after impressing in Watford's Under-21 team.
AUGUST 31 - Ryan Andrews (€3 million to Young Boys)
Andrews completed a move to Switzerland, ending an association with Watford that dates back to when he was a boy.
The full-back had been short of playing time, though, and joins a team playing Europa League football this season.
AUGUST 20 - Zavier Massiah-Edwards (one-month loan to Eastleigh)
Massiah-Edwards has made five Watford appearances but will get a first serious sample of senior football at Eastleigh.
The youngster heads to the National League on a short-term deal.
AUGUST 6 - Joao Ferreira (undisclosed fee to Saint-Etienne)
Ferreira was the latest player not in first-team plans to be sold for a good fee.
The Portuguese full-back departs to Ligue 2 Saint-Etienne for a figure we believe to be €3m plus add-ons.
AUGUST 4 - Ryan Porteous (undisclosed fee to LAFC)
The Scottish international departs to MLS for a fee the Watford Observer understands is $1m.
He spent two-and-a-half years on the club's books, last appearing in January before spending the final few months of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Preston.
JULY 29 - Jorge Hurtado (loan to Millonarios)
Hurtado played one match for Watford in two-and-a-half years on the club's books, setting up the winner in the 2-1 win over Chesterfield in the 2023/24 FA Cup third round.
He now heads back to Colombia on loan, his fifth temporary deal away from Vicarage Road.
JULY 29 - Antonio Tikvic (undisclosed fee to Preussen Munster)
Tikvic departs the Hornets after one enigmatic year at the club.
The defender was announced as a loan signing in 2024 before the club stated they had made the deal permanent and mistakenly not announced it. He left on loan to Grazer AK in January, anyhow, and now departs for good.
JULY 17 – Mileta Rajovic (undisclosed fee to Legia Warsaw)
Watford made a profit on Rajovic by selling him to Legia Warsaw for a fee the Watford Observer understands is €2.85 million.
He scored 14 goals for the club but was not in Paulo Pezzolano’s plans after spending most of last season on loan at Brondby.
JULY 15 - James Clarridge (loan to Aldershot Town)
Clarridge headed out on a temporary deal to National League side Aldershot until January 1.
The defender had appeared in the pre-season friendly against AFC Wimbledon before heading to his new home for the rest of 2025.
JUNE 30 – Myles Roberts (loan to Walsall)
Goalkeeper Roberts secured another EFL loan after not making a single appearance at Bristol Rovers in the second half of last term.
The 23-year-old had played 21 times for Partick Thistle in the first half of 2024/25 before being recalled to cover the injured Daniel Bachmann, and will aim to play more first-team football in League Two.
JUNE 27 – Michael Adu-Poku (loan to Barrow)
The winger heads out on a temporary deal having spent last season in the National league at Solihull Moors and Rochdale.
He will aim to play regular minutes in League Two with Barrow this term.
JUNE 19 – Francisco Sierralta (undisclosed fee to Auxerre)
Sierralta ended his five-year stint at Watford by completing a switch to Ligue 1.
The Chile international was a key member of the 2020/21 promotion-winning side and played 123 times for the club in total.
It was confirmed Ogbonna would depart after just one season at the club.
The former Italy international played just eight times for the Hornets and did not appear at all after the win at Derby on January 18.
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