New striker signs!

http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130701-ikpeazu-signs-884926.aspx

Highly-rated 18-year-old signs for Watford on three-year deal



WATFORD have completed the signing of promising young striker Uche Ikpeazu.

The highly-rated 18-year-old joins the Hornets having agreed a three-year professional contract at Vicarage Road.




Standing at 6ft 3ins tall, the powerful centre forward scored 28 goals in 28 appearances for Reading’s Under-18s side in 2012/13, finishing the season as the country’s top scorer at Academy level.


Among his strikes last term were impressive hat-tricks against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Blackburn and QPR.


Ikpeazu, who was born in the London Borough of Harrow, joined the Royals’ Academy in late 2010 and experienced a successful loan spell at Evo-Stik side Didcot Town in 2012, scoring two goals from three games at the age of 16.


The Hornets’ Technical Director Gian Luca Nani said: “We are very pleased Uche is joining us at Watford.


“At 18 he is still young, but he’s a very bright prospect and

Read more at http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130701-ikpeazu-signs-884926.aspx#TJhvxPZJgAFTGpzc.99

 

Why has he not managed a breakthrough into Reading's first team ?

 

Strange that he wanted to leave Reading and move sideways. Maybe he feels that he will have a better chance of first team games with us.

 

London-born Ikpeazu joined Reading's youth set-up in 2010 and had a loan spell with Didcot Town last year, but his deal with Watford is his first professional contract.

"I just want to use this moment to thank all the Reading people right down to the fans.

"I am now looking forward to a new challenge," he posted on Twitter.

From Didcot to the Vic...

Just wonder if he will be a first team contender this season?

 

Haha, once again we have proved the doubters wrong! Its good to see that the club can attract talent like this, it just proves we value youth talent!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if his debut is in the cup tie against Bristol Rovers.

 

Agreed......

 

Chatting to my mate who's a Reading fan - he's pretty gutted. Says that they have a few more in the academy so aren't that bitter but would have preferred to keep him. Should be an interesting addition to the team and will be good to see where he ends up.

Just shows that we're a team that now attracts the best young talent - I bet working with Zola is a huge incentive, especially for a Chelsea fan.

 

Fully expect many more of these type of signings. Picking up lots of young talent in the hope they'll deveop into someone who will command a very large fee in the future, or to push us on to that next level

Great to see that even though we are a category 3 Academy, youngsters are still willing to come to us. They see the potential here.

Welcome to Watford Uche - seems he already knows the young American Keeper already signed

 

All very luvverly...BUT fact - both clubs in the same division,Reading making positive moves towards the coming season-WFC faffing around again it seems not seeming to know what theyre doing(or not telling anyone else); Fair assumption Reading dont see a future for him there,(they have to be seen as a bigger club than Orns these days so looks like a DEmotion for the player) Watford take a chance on him....could it possibly be cos he comes CHEAP ...surely not Pozzos ??

 

I know... that is the question eh..

 

I was also wondering why such a highly regarded player opted for a "sideways" move. Let's be honest, from an outsiders point of view, he may even appear as if he has taken a step down.

But, our scouts and recruiters must now have such an easy job. Sign for Watford, and if it doesn't quite work out, you have the opportunity of a seamless switch to Serie A or La Liga. Plus, with the obvious ambitions of the Pozzo's, who have a proven track record establishing successful careers for talented youngsters, you begin to see why the "sideways" move makes so much sense.

 

Is it pronounced: Ik - Pea - Zu

Thats how Im saying it anyway.

 

"Watford’s the best club for me,” he told watfordfc.com

“I watched them in the Play-Offs a lot and I thought that they’d suit my style of play. They do go long sometimes, but they tend to play short, and I’m looking forward to it.

“They’re giving me an opportunity and that’s always great.”

“Scoring goals is always great and hopefully I can bring it to Watford and grace Vicarage Road.”

“I’m just going to work really hard in pre-season and do all I can. I’m still learning the game at 18 so I’m going to take every step as it comes and I’m going to try my best.”

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Just some snippets from his interview on the official site - sounds like a confident kid. Just hope he keeps his head on his shoulders and does score a few for us.

The fact that we are giving him an opportunity seems to suggest Reading weren't willing to? Surprising from someone who scored 28 goals last season!

 

But highly regarded by who ,seems not by Reading?? Its the club describing him as "highly rated''...they aint gonna say 'He's average but we like his name so we signed him 'are they!' I'm near Reading and I've never heard a mention of him in the media here.
Bad to sound like knocking you before you've even started Mr Ik....so good luck -but do be prepared to be loaned out double quick if this club ever has enough players on the books to field a team.

 

It seems that some people are thinking he can be good and hoped that Reading would tie him down to a long contract.

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/04/08...next-didier-drogba-he-is-just-down-the-m4-mo/

 

Always good to have an incredibly negative opinion about something so positive.

 

So where does this leave a player like Britt?

 

A season on loan at a League 1 club?? (given that he was on loan at a league 2 club last season)

 

We have Britt for even longer. We shall see, perhaps they will be teamed up to see if they can play together? Britt is also a bit further along the career path having done well at Southend and signed up for longer too. He need not worry, competition is healthy.

It's all very exciting!