Former Huracán forward Ignacio Pussetto completes Watford transfer

· by · in argentina. ·

Watford have signed Ignacio Pussetto from Udinese to a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The Premier League club are reported to have paid around £7 million, which is the same amount paid by Udinese when bringing in the 24-year-old from Huracán in July 2018.

Struggling for a regular starting role this season, starting only twice in twelve Serie A appearances, Pussetto makes the switch to Watford aiming to gain further European experience.

Racing Club had been hoping to take advantage of Pussetto’s squad status in Italy to take the versatile forward on loan but Udinese’s link to Watford through owners, the Pozzo family, saw the Hornets strike a deal.

As a result Huracán are set to receive around €200,000 by way of a sell-on clause.

“I have been following Watford a lot. I watched the last game which we won against Bournemouth, which was a huge victory, and what I hope for is to continue these positive results in order to be able to go up in the table, and for me to be able to contribute to this,” Pussetto told the club’s website in his first interview.

“It is very important for me to get into the team as soon as possible and I’m very excited to start right away. If the manager thinks I am ready for Saturday I am available, but otherwise I will try my best and train hard in order to be in the squad as soon as possible.”

Pussetto becomes Watford’s second January signing after Brazilian teenager João Pedro and given his experience might be better placed for an immediate introduction to the first team.

The Santa Fe native moved from local club Juventud Unida to Atlético de Rafaela in 2011 and made his professional debut two years later. Between his three years with La Crema and another two at Huracán, Pussetto notched up almost 100 top flight appearances in Argentina.

A fine run of form fired Huracán into the Copa Libertadores and prompted Udinese to move in 2018. 50 appearances for the Zebrette and five goals later, Pussetto is well placed now to make an impact in England.

“This is a huge step for my career. I’m very happy and proud to be in the Premier League now and I have to take all the responsibilities that comes with it.

“It was not an easy decision to move because it’s a huge step, but when I was at Udinese I heard a lot about Watford because it was a very close club. I’m excited to be here and I have to put in as much effort as I can for the good of the club now.”

Watford have climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone since appointing Nigel Pearson as manager at the beginning of December and have dropped only two points in the last five league games.

Linking up with fellow Argentine Roberto Pereyra, it is unclear whether Pussetto will go straight into the starting eleven but his ability to play out wide on either flank or even more centrally could be a useful asset off the bench.