Defender William Troost-Ekong has left Watford and signed for Greek side PAOK.

The Nigerian international has agreed a three-year-deal with PAOK, and Watford are understood to have received a fee in the region of £1m.

The 29-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan in Serie A with Salernitana, where he made nine appearances and scored the winner in the penultimate game of the season against Udinese.

The Italian side didn’t exercise their option to sign Troost-Ekong, and he was linked with the likes of Genoa, Verona and Panathinaikos.

However, it was the Greek Super League where the player ended up but with PAOK, who finished fourth last season and will face Beitar Jerusalem in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round later this month.

Troost-Ekong joined Watford from Udinese in September 2020 and was a key figure in defence as the Hornets secured promotion to the Premier League with the joint-lowest goals conceded figure.

His game time was more limited in the Premier League, and he made 17 outings as the Hornets were relegated.

Last season Troost-Ekong made 15 appearances before heading off to Salernitana, and famously scored the second goal in the 4-0 rout of Luton at Vicarage Road in October before mocking Hatters’ Gabriel Osho by pretending to cry when the defender was sent off seven minutes from the end.

Seen as one of the leaders at the club, Troost-Ekong also earned respect for independently gathering the Watford players together in their hotel the night before that derby game, and talking about the importance of the match to the fans and the club.