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Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong has confirmed he has left Watford in a touching message posted on Twitter.
The PUNCH had reported on Monday that the 29-year-old Nigerian international was heading to Italy to join Salernitana, initially on loan with a view to a permanent move.
“The moment has come for me to move on from Watford after three special seasons shared with everyone involved,”Troost-Ekong wrote.
“From everyone at the restaurant, security workers, volunteers at the stadium to the medical & office staff and all the rest you have made my time what it was. The coaches and most of all my teammates, I can only say thank you.
“The Pozzo family for believing in me and the important five years of my career at both clubs with the highlight the promotion and a chance to achieve my boyhood dream of playing in the Premier League.
“To all the fans thank you for your support, it has been special going from watching as a boy to stepping on the pitch as a player. As now a fan again I wish for promotion just as much as all of you and will be back watching from the stands in the future.”
His post received likes from teammates Joao Pedro, Yaser Asprilla, James Morris, Mattie Pollock, Christian Kabasele, Vakoun Bayo and former Hornet Cucho Hernandez.
Troost-Ekong joined Watford from Udinese in September 2020 and made 70 appearances.
One of his two goals – in the derby against Luton earlier this season – will live long in Watford folklore, as will his now famous ‘waving goodbye’ to the Hatters’ Gabriel Osho when he was sent off.
A Watford fan long before he joined the club, Troost-Ekong was a key member of the side that won promotion back to the Premier League in the 2020/21 season, making 35 appearances and scoring in the 3-2 win over Coventry.
However, his departure does now leave Head Coach Slaven Bilic with a headache. His first choice centre-back pairing of late has been Craig Cathcart and Francisco Sierralta.
But with Troost-Ekong departing and Kabasele sidelined with a hamstring injury, only Mattie Pollock provides cover, and the 21-year-old has made just one league start for the Hornets.