Michail Antonio has signed a one-year contract with Watford, returning to English football for the first time since leaving West Ham. The 36-year-old Jamaican forward had been a free agent after a brief spell with Qatari side Al-Sailiya, which ended in the summer.
Antonio's return to the Championship
Antonio could make his debut this weekend when Watford host Stoke City at Vicarage Road. The Hornets currently sit 12th in the Championship after six games.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, Antonio said: “It’s a good set of boys here. They are focused and ready to show their abilities this season.
“Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can. I’ve scored a few goals against Watford! So hopefully I can score some for Watford now when I’m fully up to speed.”
Recovery from the 2024 car crash
Antonio’s move marks his first return to English football since his exit from West Ham. In December 2024, he was involved in a serious car crash and was close to losing his life.
Speaking to the BBC about the crash, Antonio said: “It’s weird, because the whole way through this, I have been told that I was awake and was speaking to everybody - the police, the people, and the person who found me.
“My leg was completely shattered and they got me out and put a splint on it by the side of the car. Everyone believed I got an air ambulance out, but the helicopter couldn’t get off the ground because of the storm, so I was driven to the hospital.”
On seeing the wreckage of his car, he added: “It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. It just made me realise how close I was to dying. I had seen the pictures but it was 10 times worse in person. The car was an absolute mess. It was difficult for me.”
Career highlights and near moves
Antonio has previously played for Reading, Cheltenham Town, Southampton, Colchester United, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest. He joined West Ham in 2015, scoring 83 goals in 323 appearances and helping the club win the Conference League title in 2023.
Over the past year, Antonio was close to moves to both Leicester City and Brentford, but neither side agreed a deal with the Jamaican international.
