Senegalese international Nampalys Mendy has signed a one-year contract with Watford, returning to English football after leaving RC Lens at the end of his deal in June.
The 33-year-old midfielder was officially announced as Watford’s latest signing on Thursday, with the club confirming that his contract includes an option to extend beyond the season.
Mendy joins the Championship side as a free agent, becoming their 11th addition of the summer transfer window.
Mendy, a key member of Senegal’s squad that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2022, previously spent seven years at Leicester City, where he made 98 Premier League appearances.
During his time with the Foxes, he won the FA Cup in 2021 and featured in European competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
Watford sporting director Gianluca Nani hailed the midfielder’s leadership qualities and vast experience, describing him as a crucial addition to the team’s plans.
“Mendy perfectly fits the profile of the experienced midfielder with leadership qualities we were looking for. We are delighted to have signed him,” Nani said.
The Senegalese star, who will wear the number 23 shirt at Vicarage Road, brings significant top-flight pedigree. Nani highlighted his reputation for reading the game, breaking up play, and commanding respect on and off the pitch.
“He has experience of English football with Leicester and was the one who replaced N’Golo Kanté. Mendy wins the ball back well, has excellent game intelligence, is aggressive without the ball, and has a leadership style that the players follow,” he added.
Born in La Seyne-sur-Mer, France, on 23 June 1992, Mendy began his professional career with Monaco in 2010, making his Ligue 1 debut as a teenager.
After three seasons with the principality club, he joined Nice in 2013, where he played 80 matches over three years before signing for Leicester City in 2016 for a then club-record fee.
Following his departure from Leicester in 2023, Mendy joined Lens, helping the French side compete in domestic and European campaigns before opting to return to England.
His arrival makes him only the third Senegalese player to feature for Watford, following former stars Ismaïla Sarr, who spent four seasons at the club, and Mbaye Niang, who had a brief spell with the Hornets in 2017.
The midfielder is expected to play a key role in Watford’s bid to push for promotion back to the Premier League, with his composure in possession and defensive strength seen as vital assets.
