WATFORD HAVE SIGNED James Abankwah on loan for the rest of this season in a bid to help their Premier League promotion push.
The Republic of Ireland U21 international arrives from Serie A side Udinese after making eight appearances this term.
The two clubs are owned by the Pozzo family and Watford boss Tom Cleverley revealed how the Italians wanted to keep hold of the centre back after impressing following his return from another loan spell with Charlton Athletic.
🤝 @IrelandFootball pic.twitter.com/eY9YOhXCOX
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 16, 2025
“James is a real promising addition to the squad. He brings us speed, physicality, and I can see he values the art of defending,” Cleverley told the club website.
“We identified him as a player that is the perfect profile for what we are missing. He is one that the Udinese manager actually was quite desperate to keep, but we feel like he can add more value to us, and I am pleased he has come and joined us.”
Watford face Derby County this weekend and are currently in eighth place, three points off the play-off spots.
Abankwah, the former St Patrick’s Athletic defender, arrives at Vicarage Road where fellow Irish stars Festy Ebosele and Rocco Vata are currently impressing.
Seem’s all irish player’s are going on loan and not wanted at their clubs sad times
@Raymond Darcy: Maybe read the article.
@Bert Carolan: Did and its true most irish players will go on loan
Good day for St.Pats’ hopes of getting a good sell on fee for him in the future.
His Charlton loan spell was a disaster, and Festy isn’t getting a lot of game time since going there, but hopefully he does okay.
It’s a good experience to give him Championship football it will make a man out of him.