James Abankwah (Image: PA)
James Abankwah (Image: PA)
There is a very strong chance that James Abankwah will sign permanently for Watford this summer, and Caleb Wiley will rejoin the club on a season-long loan.
The Watford Observer understands that while conversations are still ongoing and the club may not be in a position to announce anything yet, they are confident both will be back at Vicarage Road for the 2025/26 season, with Abankwah making a permanent move.
The Udinese defender impressed while on loan in the second half of last season, and received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad.
The 21-year-old made 19 appearances for the Hornets and was involved in five clean sheets.
Wiley, 20, already has three full caps for America, and like Abankwah he moved to Vicarage Road during the January transfer window.
Initially sidelined by a shoulder injury sustained while on loan from Chelsea to Strasbourg, Wiley made 10 appearances from March 8 onwards, and picked up an assist for Moussa Sissoko’s winning goal against Hull at Vicarage Road.
Signing Abankwah and having Wiley for the full season would be further evidence of what owner Gino Pozzo said in his recent statement about the club’s desire to keep its best players.
Obviously that objective will be tested during the summer when the transfer window opens, but these two deals followed so soon after the signing of Hector Kyprianou are clear evidence of Watford trying to get their business down as early as possible, thus allowing new head coach Paulo Pezzolano maximum time to work with his squad.
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There were confirmed departures from Vicarage Road today, although no big surprises in the list of players released.
Angelo Ogbonna hasn’t played since mid-January and, with only eight appearances in total following his move from West Ham in the summer, his release at the age of 36 almost certainly marks the end of his playing career.
Vakoun Bayo who was, it is easy to forget, actually on loan to Watford from Udinese last season, has returned to his parent club – and the same is the case for full-back Yasser Larouci who has headed back to French side Troyes.
From the club’s Under-21 squad, striker Jonathan Lawson – who spent time on loan at Kings Langley and Hitchin Town earlier this year – has been offered a new contract.
Striker Tobi Adeyemo still has one year left on his pro contract.
The following Under-21s will be leaving the club upon the end of their contracts this summer: George Abbott, Freddie Buers, Aidan Coyne, Zak Fraser-Grante, Ignacio Garcia-Romero, Luigi Gaspar, Alistair Gould, Prince Sikiru and Jake Watkiss.
In the Under-18s, professional deals have been offered to second-year scholars Hayden Barrett, Tom Georgiou, Conrad Hunt, Sam Morris, Kash Odiase, Amar Sanghrajka, Kristian Shevchenko, Max Smith and Ollie Stephenson, as well as first-year scholars Marat Galajevs and Raul Vancea.
Importantly, fellow Under-18s Zavier Massiah-Edwards, Amin Nabizada, Nickson Okosun and Leo Ramirez-Espain have already all signed professional contracts during the 2024/25 season.
The following Under-18s will be leaving the Hornets’ Academy at the end of their scholarships: Aaron Burton, Charlie Bolding, Amani Bowlin, Josh Riza and Joel Sala.