Watford sign Michail Antonio on free transfer after short Al-Sailiya spell

Watford have signed Jamaica international Michail Antonio on a free transfer after the striker left Qatar’s Al-Sailiya at the end of his contract in the summer of 2026.

The 36-year-old has agreed a one-year deal with the Championship club, but must receive international clearance before he can be added to Watford’s squad.

Antonio could therefore miss Saturday’s meeting with Stoke City, with his availability dependent on the required clearance being completed in time.

“​​We have a good group of players here. They are very focused and ready to show what they can do this season,” Antonio told Watford’s official website.

“Watford are a big club and I hope I can come in, contribute to their success and help the team in any way I can.

“I have scored a few goals against Watford, so I hope I can now score some goals for Watford once I regain my full fitness.”

Watford are 12th in the Championship with eight points.

Antonio made four appearances for Al-Sailiya without scoring or providing an assist before departing the club.

His move to Watford comes after a lengthy recovery from a serious car accident in December 2024. He spent a year out of football while a West Ham player following the incident.

During that period away from competitive action, Antonio trained with West Ham’s under-21 side, Brentford and Leicester City.

He also made three substitute appearances for Jamaica during the Gold Cup while working towards a return to full fitness.

Antonio began his career with Tooting & Mitcham United and has also played for Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and West Ham, before his brief spell in Qatar. Across his club career, he has made 566 appearances, scoring 131 goals and creating 81 more.