Ex-Sunderland stars Duncan Watmore and Pierre Ekwah were both on the move on Monday.
The 31-year-old was most recently on the books at Millwall in the Championship, but has spent the first half of the campaign as a free agent having left The Den over the summer.
Now, however, the ex-Black Cats star, who made 87 appearances on Wearside between 2013 and 2020, will link up with Matt Hamshaw’s third tier side on a short-term contract that will run until the end of the season.
Speaking about his appreciation for Watmore in a recent press conference prior to the attacker’s arrival at the New York Stadium, the Millers boss said: “We've been going through every option. I don't want people thinking that we're just sitting here waiting for things to happen. We're proactive in everything we're trying to do. Duncan's a player I've got a lot of admiration for. However, I'm sure he's got a lot of other suitors as well. We'll just have to wait and see. What will be, will be.”
Back in November, it was reported that Watmore was training with League One promotion hopefuls Stockport County to maintain his fitness levels. Addressing his departure from Millwall back in May, Watmore said: “I have loved my time at Millwall, a club supported by generations of my family from my great-grandfather onwards. I have met many special people whilst I’ve been here. The club is in great hands under the chairman and manager, and I’m confident the lads will have an excellent chance of play-offs next season.
“There are many moments I shall cherish, but none more so than my pride at my young kids joining me on the pitch at the end of the season at The Den. I wish everyone associated with Millwall all the best, and I look forward to continuing to support the lads.”
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Pierre Ekwah completes Watford loan move
Watmore wasn’t the only former Sunderland star to complete a deadline day switch to an EFL club, with ex-Black Cats midfielder Pierre Ekwah sealing a loan move to Watford from AS Saint-Etienne.
The 24-year-old has endured a bizarre stint on the continent since making an initial loan move to ASSE permanent last year. Having reportedly expressed his dissatisfaction at the transfer following their relegation to Ligue 2, Ekwah has supposedly refused to play for his parent club, and prior to his exit, had not made a senior appearance all season.
A product of Chelsea and West Ham’s academy systems, the Frenchman will now look to kickstart his career with a spell at Vicarage Road, and joins the Hornets as they look to close a four-point gap between themselves and the Championship play-off places.
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