Watford have announced the signing of striker Michail Antonio on a free transfer, with the 36-year-old putting pen to paper on a one-year deal at Vicarage Road.

Antonio, a Jamaican international, had been training with Alessio Dionisi's squad for the past month before the club confirmed the agreement on 11 September. He becomes Watford's 12th signing of the summer, a busy window that the Hornets hope has assembled the pieces to mount a sustained Championship challenge.

A long road back to competitive football

The striker's path to Vicarage Road has been far from straightforward. His final senior appearance for his previous club came in a 3-1 defeat by Leicester City on 3 December 2024, and just four days later he suffered a broken leg in a car crash. The injury ruled him out for an extended period and raised genuine doubts about whether he would return to professional football at all.

During his recovery, Antonio returned to his former club's training facilities before turning out twice for their under-21 side in Premier League 2 as he rebuilt match sharpness. He subsequently trained with Leicester City and came close to a deal with Brentford, only for a torn calf muscle sustained the day before he was due to sign to scupper that move entirely.

A short spell with Qatari side Al-Sailiya followed, where he made four appearances and last played in April. That spell completed, Antonio linked up with Watford's coaching staff and has evidently done enough in training to convince Dionisi he can contribute at Championship level.

What Antonio brings to the Hornets

Before establishing himself as one of the more physically imposing forwards in English top-flight football, Antonio cut his teeth in the EFL with clubs including Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest. That lower-league pedigree, combined with a decade of experience at a high level, gives Watford a very different profile in attack.

At 36, Antonio is unlikely to be a 35-game starter, but his ability to hold the ball up, run in behind and unsettle defenders with his strength could prove a useful option off the bench or in specific tactical situations. Dionisi will be aware of the fitness question marks but presumably calculated that a month's training observation provided sufficient evidence of the striker's readiness.

"Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can," Antonio told the club's official website.

Clearance needed before Stoke test

The deal has been announced pending international clearance, which the club are hoping will be granted in time for Antonio to be considered for Saturday's Championship home fixture against Stoke City. That timeline is tight, and it remains to be seen whether the paperwork clears quickly enough for him to feature at all this weekend.

Watford currently sit 12th in the Championship table, with two wins, two draws and two defeats from their opening six matches under Dionisi. The Hornets will be eager to climb towards the top half and Antonio's arrival at least adds another option in what is a congested and competitive division.

The number 18 shirt awaits him at Vicarage Road, and supporters will be watching closely to see whether the veteran forward can rediscover his best form after such a turbulent 18 months.

Frequently asked

Why did Michail Antonio join Watford?
Antonio had been training with Watford for a month after spells recovering from a broken leg and a torn calf muscle. Manager Alessio Dionisi was sufficiently impressed to offer him a one-year deal on a free transfer.
What shirt number will Antonio wear at Watford?
Antonio has been given the number 18 shirt at Vicarage Road.
Will Antonio be available for Watford vs Stoke City?
The signing is pending international clearance. Watford are hoping that clears in time for Saturday's home Championship match against Stoke City, but it is not yet confirmed.