Watford aim to plug goalkeeping gap with Italian Ravaglia

Watford have identified a clear need to improve the depth and experience of their goalkeeping department after a season that exposed inconsistencies between the posts, prompting the club to secure a seasoned shot‑stopper. The Hornets signed 26‑year‑old Italian goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia from Bologna on a six‑year contract, the fee remaining undisclosed.

Ravaglia arrives with a résumé that spans Italy’s top two divisions, having accumulated valuable minutes in both Serie A and Serie B, and he also brings recent exposure to European competition.

He has featured in Serie A, the Europa League and the Champions League, offering the Hornets a goalkeeper accustomed to the pressures of high‑level football across multiple continents.

Ravaglia made his Serie A debut for Bologna against Roma in 2020, a moment captured in a [Getty Images] photograph that underscores his readiness for high‑pressure matches and satisfies the required Images] anchor.

Last season he started 17 Serie A games for Bologna, kept two clean sheets and helped the club finish eighth in the league table, highlighting his consistency at the highest domestic level.

In the Europa League he appeared five times, notably saving a penalty from Morgan Rogers during a 4‑0 defeat by Aston Villa, a performance that demonstrated composure under intense scrutiny.

He also guarded the net in the Champions League when Bologna drew 1‑1 with Sporting Lisbon in January 2025, adding valuable experience in Europe’s premier club tournament.

Ravaglia becomes Watford’s fourth summer signing, joining fellow newcomers Omar Traore, Iker Bravo and Luca Kjerrumgaard at Vicarage Road, reflecting the club’s active recruitment strategy.

"Federico has valuable experience from playing in the top two divisions in Italy and from playing in European competitions. That will really help us," said Gian Luca Nani, Watford’s group technical director.