Watford youngster Joseph Hungbo has returned to Vicarage Road following a loan spell at Aldershot Town.
The young winger started in the Hornets’ defeat to Newport County in the Carabao Cup before departing on loan.
Joseph Hungbo Returns to Watford
Joseph Hungbo’s Time with Aldershot Town FC
At the beginning of November, Hungbo joined the National League side on a month-long loan.
Despite the loan expiring nearly one month ago, only recently did the club confirm his return. Hungbo appeared six times for Aldershot Town FC.
His integration into the non-league side’s first-team was seamless. In his stint with the club, he made cameos in every match possible.
His debut for the 13th-placed team came against Altrincham. He also started a week later against Welsh-side Wrexham.
Joseph Hungbo Pre-loan
Hungbo started his career with Crystal Palace’s youth ranks. The Eagles also sent him on loan to gain some non-league experience with Margate FC.
Both Watford and Crystal Palace felt non-league football was the best way to improve the youngster’s physicality.
The Englishman joined Watford in the summer of 2019. His first-team debut came in last season’s FA Cup in a defeat to Tranmere Rovers.
For the Hornets’ youth ranks, Hungbo turned heads, slotting in 13 goals in his first season. Prior to his departure in November, Hungbo scored three more times this campaign for the U23 squad.
Return to Watford and Season Outlook
Since the conclusion of the unusually-short loan move, Hungbo appeared on the bench in the Hornets’ most recent two matches.
He also scored in a victory over Swansea’s U23 squad. The reason Aldershot Town FC have only just confirmed his departure is unknown – with the announcement likely just a courteous formality.
Despite getting into Aldershot Town FC’s match-day squad consistently, another loan move to them is unlikely.
If it were on the cards, the move would likely have been completed by now. This is not to say Watford will not seek to loan him out elsewhere.
Hungbo joins Derek Agyakwa, who just returned from his loan to Como in Serie C.
Watford have to choose between letting the two players develop through training with the senior team or letting them improve via getting first-team action elsewhere.
Both players give Watford added depth in positions where depth is needed. However, Xisco Muñoz understands the players’ relative inexperience, and might not be comfortable calling upon them week in and week out just yet.
Watford value both youngsters highly, so the hierarchy will certainly be searching for destinations to continue their development.
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