Watford have announced the signing of Ivory Coast and Royal Charleroi striker Vakoun Bayo in a deal worth around £5 million.
The 25-year-old has agreed to a five-year deal with the Hornets, despite only making his six-month loan move to Charleroi permanent in May, and would be looking to help the newly-relegated side in their push for a Premier League return.
Watford Complete Signing of Vakoun Bayo
✍️ We’re delighted to announce the signing of Ivorian striker Vakoun Bayo from RSC Charleroi.
Welcome to Watford, Vakoun! 💛
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) July 2, 2022
Career So Far
The 25-year-old enjoyed an exciting spell in Belgium’s top-flight, recording 11 goals and two assists in 16 appearances. The dynamic right-footed forward is what Watford needs as they brace for departures following their relegation to the Championship.
Emmanuel Dennis is attracting interest from several Premier League sides, most notably Everton, while Cucho Hernandez has completed a move to MLS side Columbus Crew after five years with the Hertfordshire side.
Welcome to Watford FC, Vakoun Bayo 🇨🇮🐝
The 25-year-old joins on a five-year-deal from RSC Charleroi after an exciting spell in Belgium’s top-flight, where he scored 11 goals in 16 matches.#Watfordfc 🟡⚫️ pic.twitter.com/a5Qpc7hmMz
— The Voices of The Vic 🟡⚫️ (@VoicesOfTheVic) July 2, 2022
Bayo began his career in Tunisia with Etoile du Sahel before moving to Slovakia with Dunajská Streda. After 22 goals over two years, he joined Celtic in 2018, where he made 17 appearances and scored four goals.
The striker had a brief spell on loan in France’s second division with Toulouse, where he netted 13 times in all competitions. He then secured a move to Belgium with Gent at the start of last season, before a temporary switch to Charleroi in December 2021 that became permanent in May.
Read More: Every Premier League Transfer Completed in Summer 2022
Bayo arrives in England with a wealth of experience, having played in the Europa League and Europa Conference League. He made his international debut for Ivory Coast in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Central African Republic in 2018, having earned caps at the youth level.
