William Troost Ekong: Super Eagles star pens emotional farewell message to Watford 

By Saheed Afolabi

William Troost Ekong has penned an emotional farewell message to the Watford family after spending three amazing years with the club.

The Nigeria international joined Watford from Italian side, Udinese in the summer of 2020 and went on to make 64 appearances for the Hornets and scored two goals.

Despite having two years remaining in the five years contract he signed with Watford, Ekong has decided to move on and stage a return to the Italian Serie A.

In his farewell message to Watford, the defender describes the time at the club as special seasons he had with everyone at the club including those at the restaurant, security workers, stadium volunteers, coaches, players and medical personnel.

He appreciated the Pozzo family for the belief they had in him and for making his dream of playing in the Premier League come to reality.

“The moment has come for me to move on from Watford FC after three special seasons shared with everyone involved. 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,” he said.

“The Pozzo family for believing in me and the important 5 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.”

The Super Eagles captain made 15 appearances for Watford in the Sky Wager Championship this season.

The 29 year old defender will join Italian Serie A side Salernitana and reunite with his former coach at Udinese Davide Nicola.

Ekong was part of the Nigeria Football squad that participated in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and won the bronze medal in football after defeating Hondurans 3-2 in the third place match.

He has made 64 appearances for Nigeria and found the back of the net 4 times, the recent goal coming from the penalty spot in the World Cup qualifier against Ghana at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja.