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Antonio Joins Watford on One-Year Deal
Confirmed
In Short: Former West Ham striker Michail Antonio has signed with Watford on a one-year contract.
Michail Antonio, the 36-year-old Jamaican international striker, has signed a one-year deal with Watford, the club announced on their official website. The move comes after Antonio was released by West Ham in June 2025, following a 10-year tenure with the club. Antonio, who will wear the number 18 shirt at Vicarage Road, is Watford's 12th signing of the summer and is expected to be part of the squad for the upcoming Championship match against Stoke City on Saturday.
Antonio last played in April for Al-Sailiya, a Qatari side, making four appearances. Prior to his move to West Ham in September 2015, he had played in the EFL for Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest. The striker has been training with Watford for the past few weeks and is eager to contribute to the team's success. "Watford have a strong group, and I hope to help the club succeed once I am fully up to speed," Antonio said in a statement.
According to reports, Antonio was a free agent following his brief spell with Al-Sailiya and had been attempting to secure a Watford contract since August. Before joining Al-Sailiya, Antonio was linked with Charlton Athletic. Antonio's move to Watford marks a significant return to the Championship, where he previously played for West Ham from 2015 to 2025.
Antonio had been rebuilding his career after a serious car crash in December 2024, which led to his departure from West Ham. The striker's journey back to professional football has been marked by determination and resilience, and his signing with Watford is a testament to his continued commitment to the sport.
Background
West Ham is a district in East London, England and is in the London Borough of Newham. It is an inner-city suburb located 6.1 mi (9.8 km) east of Charing Cross.
What's confirmed
- Michail Antonio, the 36-year-old Jamaican international striker, has signed a one-year deal with Watford, the club announced on their official website. The move comes after Antonio was released by West Ham in June 2025, following a 10-year tenure with the club. Antonio, who will wear the number 18 shirt at Vicarage Road, is Watford's 12th signing of the summer and is expected to be part of the squad for the upcoming Championship match against Stoke City on Saturday.
- Antonio last played in April for Al-Sailiya, a Qatari side, making four appearances. Prior to his move to West Ham in September 2015, he had played in the EFL for Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest. The striker has been training with Watford for the past few weeks and is eager to contribute to the team's success. "Watford have a strong group, and I hope to help the club succeed once I am fully up to speed," Antonio said in a statement.
- According to reports, Antonio was a free agent following his brief spell with Al-Sailiya and had been attempting to secure a Watford contract since August. Before joining Al-Sailiya, Antonio was linked with Charlton Athletic. Antonio's move to Watford marks a significant return to the Championship, where he previously played for West Ham from 2015 to 2025.
- Antonio had been rebuilding his career after a serious car crash in December 2024, which led to his departure from West Ham. The striker's journey back to professional football has been marked by determination and resilience, and his signing with Watford is a testament to his continued commitment to the sport.
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- Clubs can still sign free agents, and former Hammer Michail Antonio could be on his way to Watford.
- Antonio is one of West Ham's best players of the modern era.
- Read West Ham previously reported how Antonio had been handed the chance to train with Watford ahead of a possible West Ham reunion.