Watford have option to sign Udinese quintet

10:56pm Friday 31st August 2012 in Latest Sport By Frank Smith

Fernando Forestieri is among the players who have joined Watford. Picture: Action Images Fernando Forestieri is among the players who have joined Watford. Picture: Action Images

Watford have confirmed the loan signings of five players from Udinese and the Hornets have an option to buy the players at the end of their temporary stay at Vicarage Road .

The Italian club, who are also owned by the Pozzos, stated earlier today on their website that Cristian Battocchio, Neuton Sergio Piccoli, Joel Ekstrand, Fernando Forestieri and Jean-Alain Fanchone had joined the Hornets.

Now in the last few minutes, Watford have confirmed the quintet have joined the club on season-long loans and that the Hertforshire club have the option to buy the players at the end of their temporary stay.

Click here for more information on the new signings.

Udinese needed to complete their business before the Italian transfer window closed earlier this evening whereas Watford had until 11pm tonight to conclude their signings.

With the loan window re-opening next week, the Hornets can still reduce the size of their squad in the coming weeks but Udinese do not enjoy the same luxury.

However, one player expected to leave Watford is centre back Martin Taylor, who looks set to join Sheffield Wednesday.

Comments(31)

WFC4ever says...
10:58pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Makes sense really...presume it pretty much depends on if we get promoted or it.

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watfordguymatt says...
10:59pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Great news about the options to sign, hopefully that'll shut the doubters up!

However not thrilled about Taylor going, has done very well so far this season.

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watfordguymatt says...
11:00pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Taylor gone, official now. Good Luck Martin.

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garston 'orn says...
11:01pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Nooooooooooooooooooo
oo Taylor was looking good!!

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Stoney77 says...
11:03pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Win win situation. Bit gutted about Taylor. Thanks & good luck. Now, onwards and upwards.

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Travelling Hornet says...
11:12pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Cassetti to be captain?

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WFC4ever says...
11:12pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Shame to see Taylor go but it seems he wanted out.

Maybe feared for his 1st team place and as a Northern lad wanted to move back up there..

Disappointing though...who is the replacement?

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SimonW, Godalming says...
11:16pm Fri 31 Aug 12

WFC4ever wrote:
Shame to see Taylor go but it seems he wanted out.

Maybe feared for his 1st team place and as a Northern lad wanted to move back up there..

Disappointing though...who is the replacement?
better sign some-one on loan from Udinese!!

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WFC4ever says...
11:17pm Fri 31 Aug 12

SimonW, Godalming wrote:
WFC4ever wrote:
Shame to see Taylor go but it seems he wanted out.

Maybe feared for his 1st team place and as a Northern lad wanted to move back up there..

Disappointing though...who is the replacement?
better sign some-one on loan from Udinese!!
Well I presume one of the 13 is a central defender.

Isn't the Cassenti chap one..albeit at 35!

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Forest Hornets says...
11:18pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Yeah, bit upset about "tiny",but, at the end of the day, does GZ think he is a good enough footballer? Nos seems to like the more direct 60 yarder to the front man, so think he probably wants a bit more football from the back 4. Will miss Almunia shouting "Martin...., Martin!" at tiny. Thanks tiny if u do go.
Up the 'orns

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Holly68 says...
11:47pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Do we also have option to buy Vydra, Pudil, Abdi etc

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WFC4ever says...
12:00am Sat 1 Sep 12

Holly68 wrote:
Do we also have option to buy Vydra, Pudil, Abdi etc
I suspet not..they are quite highly rated and probably cost a fair bit given theare full internationals I believe.

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D.unstable says...
12:35am Sat 1 Sep 12

Holly68 wrote:
Do we also have option to buy Vydra, Pudil, Abdi etc
I am sure if we got promoted we might be in a better position to afford them.

Not sure it really matters at this time which club holds the contract, all are ultimately owned by Mr P

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In GT We Trust says...
8:11am Sat 1 Sep 12

Option to buy is good PR. Means something if the option is with a team outside the group, but not much when it's internal.
However, there's no point throwing toys out of the pram. We were on the brink and the Pozzos saved us. Whether we like their plan or not (like most fans I am excited and intrigued but also nervous and uneasy), they clearly do have a plan so we now need to run with it and see where it takes us. The alternative is not some ideal world but oblivion.

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In GT We Trust says...
8:11am Sat 1 Sep 12

Option to buy is good PR. Means something if the option is with a team outside the group, but not much when it's internal.
However, there's no point throwing toys out of the pram. We were on the brink and the Pozzos saved us. Whether we like their plan or not (like most fans I am excited and intrigued but also nervous and uneasy), they clearly do have a plan so we now need to run with it and see where it takes us. The alternative is not some ideal world but oblivion.

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ElGingerino says...
9:08am Sat 1 Sep 12

The 'they saved us' line is running out of credibility as all they have done is covered (not saved us from) the immediate crisis and long term the club is playing it back due to having none of our own players and the down grading of the academy.
This is not the glorious revolution some people would like us to think.

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buckler says...
9:10am Sat 1 Sep 12

ElGingerino wrote:
The 'they saved us' line is running out of credibility as all they have done is covered (not saved us from) the immediate crisis and long term the club is playing it back due to having none of our own players and the down grading of the academy.
This is not the glorious revolution some people would like us to think.
Sadly your mate Chris Evans dont like football! Stick to ginger stuff!

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Lloydinio says...
9:47am Sat 1 Sep 12

Travelling Hornet wrote:
Cassetti to be captain?
doyley is ahead of casseti, doyley to be captain

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Lloydinio says...
9:50am Sat 1 Sep 12

Lloydinio wrote:
Travelling Hornet wrote:
Cassetti to be captain?
doyley is ahead of casseti, doyley to be captain
wait what am i saying eustace is captain, doyley or nos for vice captain.

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MUSTOITALIA says...
10:15am Sat 1 Sep 12

People on here spreading doom need to wake up! every one is focused on these loan signings we have signed almunia hall and bia (currently on loan) on fulltime contracts and with the view to buy the players we have on loan cheap if they do well. When was the last time we boasted a wealth of international experience. They wont give their all wait till its cold and we have to travel ??? are you so ignorant to think that Czech Italy Switzerland and even spain do not get cold??? Wake up your theble excuses of how we have lost our identity and we are udinese dumping ground are rediculous and unfounded.
The aim is to get Watford to the prem and the playyers from last year 1. would never get us there 2. Wouldnt keep us there if we got there. Wake up and smell the expresso watford like the rest of the uk is changing into a multi national town with multi national players in there team. Forza Watford

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Casterbridge says...
10:51am Sat 1 Sep 12

WFC4ever wrote:
Shame to see Taylor go but it seems he wanted out.

Maybe feared for his 1st team place and as a Northern lad wanted to move back up there..

Disappointing though...who is the replacement?
Fitz Hall, if/when he's fit?

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aussihornet says...
11:27am Sat 1 Sep 12

I hope we're not paying Fitz Hall ATM as he just sounds like a crock of a player!

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micksolly says...
11:41am Sat 1 Sep 12

Travelodge have reported that they are fully booked for the next year and you can't book a seat in a Watford Italian restaraunt for love of money!

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tezza1 says...
11:42am Sat 1 Sep 12

MUSTOITALIA wrote:
People on here spreading doom need to wake up! every one is focused on these loan signings we have signed almunia hall and bia (currently on loan) on fulltime contracts and with the view to buy the players we have on loan cheap if they do well. When was the last time we boasted a wealth of international experience. They wont give their all wait till its cold and we have to travel ??? are you so ignorant to think that Czech Italy Switzerland and even spain do not get cold??? Wake up your theble excuses of how we have lost our identity and we are udinese dumping ground are rediculous and unfounded.
The aim is to get Watford to the prem and the playyers from last year 1. would never get us there 2. Wouldnt keep us there if we got there. Wake up and smell the expresso watford like the rest of the uk is changing into a multi national town with multi national players in there team. Forza Watford
Great comment we now have a foundation to get us to the premiership and keep us there. I fail to see how any Watford fan can be negative about what's happening at the Vic!

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D.unstable says...
11:53am Sat 1 Sep 12

No excuses now for lack of match fitness, we have enough players to hold behind the scenes matches 5 days a week!!!!

COYH

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Roger "Studs" Joslyn says...
11:59am Sat 1 Sep 12

Move with the times all you negative fans out there. Enjoy the good times to come. I for one am very excited about the future. I have been a season ticket holder since 1970 when my dad first took me along to see the hornets - I used to stand on a box by the wall between the Shrodells stand and the Rookery (when we had a dog track) watching us play the likes of Rochdale and Workington when we were scrapping it out at the bottom of the old 4th Division. There have been may ups and downs on the Watford FC roller coaster over the years. I think the takeover by the Pozzo's will turn out to be the start of a wonderful new era for our club. At times over the last 3 seasons I have not been enjoyng the football Watford have played - but they did the job under very difficult financial restraints. I can't understand the fans who continually critisise last seaons players calling them "deadwood". They did magnicicantly last season to finish in the top half of the table. Its being very disrespectful. If we hadn't been taken over we would now be in administration and possible no club to support. Sometimes change is good and you have to go with it - and not have a negative attitude. Lets all get behind Zola and the team and move forward as one tight group all proud to follow the golden boys.- Rant over

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Bringe says...
12:09pm Sat 1 Sep 12

ElGingerino wrote:
The 'they saved us' line is running out of credibility as all they have done is covered (not saved us from) the immediate crisis and long term the club is playing it back due to having none of our own players and the down grading of the academy.
This is not the glorious revolution some people would like us to think.
Many of these loans will be still be here next season, they are essentially Watford players in all but registration. Not all will stay as obviously the owners will hope to cash in on players that that become hot property, we are still a selling club, nothing has changed in that respect. It matters not whether Giampolo Pozzo keeps his cash in right pocket or left, the players will fight for the Watford shirt.
Who knows what plans the Pozzo's have for the academy, they may have big plans for future seasons when we are actually in the PL and can compete ... It's clear we've stepped back from cat1 because it would only hinder our youngsters development, for them it would mean getting stuffed every week when it's far more beneficial to send them out on loan. For now Cat3 is ideal.

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Bush Hornet says...
12:48pm Sat 1 Sep 12

Derby 1 Watford 3. You saw it here first. Vydra, Iwelumo & Abdi to score. Derby score first (Theo Robinson, does a little jig and taunts the WFC fans) then we turn it round. It's gonna be a good day and it's quite warm here in the Midlands. Bless you kids

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mickallen57 says...
2:12pm Sat 1 Sep 12

Am I dreaming or what Watford have signed more players in one season than ever before we are on the edge of something great not since the early days of Elton and G T has there been so much promise (I remember some saying Elton would quickly tire of Watford then where will we be) I for one allthough a little aprehensive can't wait for it all to unfold COYH

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kingofpop says...
4:44pm Sat 1 Sep 12

i hope dyche is having a good chuckle this afternoon....thanks for the total embarassment gfz

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Bush Hornet says...
8:52pm Sat 1 Sep 12

Bush Hornet wrote:
Derby 1 Watford 3. You saw it here first. Vydra, Iwelumo & Abdi to score. Derby score first (Theo Robinson, does a little jig and taunts the WFC fans) then we turn it round. It's gonna be a good day and it's quite warm here in the Midlands. Bless you kids
Oops. 'Embarrassing' seems to be today's word

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