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Former Hammer Jeremy Ngakia has completed a free transfer move to Championship side Watford.

The Hornets, who were relegated at the end of the 2019/20 season have not opened their chequebook to sign the former Hammer, who left West Ham after refusing to sign an extended contract.




"I’m over the moon to be here at a great club like Watford,” Ngakia told Watford's website. "When I heard Watford wanted me, it really stood out to me because if a great club like Watford wants me, it’s a great achievement.

“My agent told me Watford were interested in me, and when I heard that I just said I’ve got to do what’s best for my career, and I felt Watford would give me the best platform to kick-start my career.”

And in reference to his five first team appearances for West Ham, he added: "Making my debut in the Premier League against Liverpool really was a dream come true. I just tried my best to stay focused, play my normal game.

“It was a test for me, against one of the best wingers in the world and one of the best teams in the world at that time. But that’s what I like, a test, because it’s the best way for me to improve.

“I’m looking forward to working with [the other right-backs at Watford] a lot because they’re very experienced and I’m only 19, so it will be great for me to develop.”




Rather oddly, given his emergence into West Ham's first team squad in recent months, the 19-year-old cited first team opportunities as one of his reasons for moving to Vicarage Road.

“I like the way the club is run, because there are a lot of young talents that are starting to come to Watford, like Domingos Quina, Tom Dele-Bashiru,” he added. “There is clearly a pathway to the first team here and that’s what I think I need at this moment in my career.

“I spoke a couple of times with Filippo [Giraldi], he told me how the club is run and how everything goes on with Watford, and that really attracted me to come here. Everything he said was very good.

“I hope that I’m involved as much as possible and can help the team no matter what, and I’m going to give it my all with every opportunity I get.”

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