In the January transfer window, Watford secured the signing of Tiago Cukur. The 18-year-old Turkish youth-international player has impressed since arriving at Vicarage Road. He is currently playing with the U23 side, but his performances suggest he has what it takes to be a first-team player in the future.
Tiago Cukur: Showing Composure and Class
Tiago Cukur: Firing on All Cylinders
The striker made his Under-23 debut in a friendly against West Bromwich Albion. His clever chip, showing tremendous attacker’s instinct, was the only goal of the match. From his first minutes with Watford, it was evident the Hornets did shrewd, under-the-radar business to sign him in a busy transfer window.
His next appearances came against Millwall‘s Under-23s. Cukur inevitably found the back of the net for the second successive match. He was brought down in the box, then smartly converted the penalty, slotting the ball into the goalkeeper’s bottom right-hand corner.
In his third match for the Hornets’ Under-23s, he scored yet again. This time, Cukur showed his aerial prowess by nodding in a cross from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.
On Track to Be a Future First-Team Player
The forward spent time with Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar’s youth set-ups prior to joining Watford. He was linked with a move to AS Roma last year, so it is clear top clubs know of his name.
His impressive output with Watford’s U23 side, despite being 18-years-old, suggests the player can be a first-teamer sometime in the future. He is unlikely to take the place of any of Watford’s current first-team strikers this season, but when they move on, Cukur may have a path. The Hornets will want to loan him out in the summer at the very minimum if he continues to score at his current rate.
“He’s got this aggression about him and he works so hard,” claims Omer Riza, Watford’s U23 head coach.
Considering his speed, height, composure, instincts, and more, young Tiago Cukur is a name worth keeping tabs on alongside the likes of Maurizio Pochettino.
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