One‑year deal brings Michail Antonio back to football with Watford

One‑year deal sees 36‑year‑old Michail Antonio return to English football as he signs for Watford, ending a two‑year absence since his December 2024 car‑crash injury that kept him out of competitive matches in England. He joins the Championship side after training with them while a free agent following his stint at Al Sailiya SC in Qatar.

Contract terms and duration

Watford, an EFL Championship club, announced a one‑year contract for Antonio, although other reports state the length remains unknown, highlighting a discrepancy between sources.

The Jamaican striker was most recently on the books of Al Sailiya SC, where he made four appearances totalling 168 minutes before his contract ended in July.

Return from injury and Qatar stint

Antonio suffered a broken femur in a car crash on 7 December 2024 while at West Ham, undergoing multiple surgeries and later describing himself as “two fingers from death” in March 2025.

Watford PA confirmed he has been training at the Vicarage Road ground, awaiting international clearance that could see him named on the bench against Stoke City on Saturday.

“It’s a good set of boys here,” Antonio said, adding that the squad is focused and that he hopes to bring success and score goals for Watford.

Wearing the number 18 shirt, he is not expected to start immediately but will provide experience and mentor the club’s younger forwards as Le club aims for a higher league position.

Watford sit 12th in the Championship with eight points after six games and could debut on Friday at Bristol City if not selected for the Stoke City match, the latter being the last league game before the international break.