Watford have officially completed the signing of Canadian youngster Ismael Kone from MLS club CF Montreal. He will join the Hornets on January 1 and has put pen to paper a four-and-a-half-year deal.
The transfer fee was not announced, but is said to be a record sale (around the $8-10m mark) for Montreal, who finished second in the Eastern Conference last season.
The 20-year-old Kone was born in Abidjan but moved to Canada at the age of 7. He was part of Canada’s 2022 World Cup side and featured in all of their group games (against Belgium, Morocco and Croatia)
Kone is the third high profile player to leave Montreal in the last few months following Djordje Mihailovic’s switch to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and defender Alistair Johnston’s move to Scottish giants Celtic.
Watford are currently fourth in the Championship, with 33 points from 21 games at the time of writing. They are eight behind leaders Burnley and five behind second placed Sheffield United.
Interestingly, SUFC and Norwich were both interested in Kone’s services over the summer, but neither club were able to agree a deal.
The Hornets will face Hull City at home in their first league game after the WC break.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.