Young defender Kayky Almeida has signed for Watford from Brazilian Serie A side Fluminense, but a social media message from the club’s most famous fan shortly before was not a pre-planned PR act.
Minutes ahead of the Almeida signing being confirmed, Sir Elton John had taken to social media and posted a very simple message, accompanied by the Watford badge: “It’s time to sign some players….”
However, it seems that was complete coincidence and the pop star’s message was of his own choosing and not part of the announcement of the signing.
Almeida, who is 19, has signed a contract with the Hornets until 2029.
He won’t be available for the opening game of the season at Millwall on Saturday, but will be eligible to join Tom Cleverley’s squad from the Stoke City August 17 home matchday onwards.
The youngster has only played one minute of senior football for Fluminense, and that was in a cup game in January.
His playing experience has been for the Brazilian side’s Under-20 team, where he made 26 appearances and scored three goals over the last couple of seasons.
There has been something of a conveyor belt between Fluminense and Watford in recent seasons.
Richarlison made the move in 2017, and three years later Pedro followed the same path. Both went on to make big-money moves to Premier League sides.
Last season, the Hornets had winger Matheus Martins on loan from sister club Udinese, who they had signed from Fluminense.
Almeida becomes Watford's sixth new signing of the summer so far, with the transfer window due to shut on August 30.
Former club captain Moussa Sissoko has rejoined the club on a free transfer after his contract at Nantes came to an end, exciting Irish prospect Rocco Vata moved south from Celtic, with Watford having to pay a compensation figure of around £230,000 for the youngster, and defender Antonio Tikvic has signed on loan for the season from Udinese.
Former goalkeeper Jonathan Bond has returned to Vicarage Road on a free transfer after several seasons playing in America, and the Hornets have also signed left-sided defender Yasser Larouci on loan from Troyes.
Whether the signing of this latest young defender is enough for Elton will be measured by what he posts on social media in future!
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