With promotion to the Premier League secured at the end of April, Watford had a head start in the summer transfer window. And now, before the end of the current top-flight campaign, the Hornets completed their first summer signing – a player Manchester City tried to sign during deadline day in January. Kwadwo Baah is now a Watford player.
Watford Confirm Kwadwo Baah Signature
Manchester City Agreement Broke Down
In January, Manchester City agreed on a deal to bring in the 18-year-old. However, reports claim the deal fell through due to complications during Baah’s medical. The Premier League champions were set to loan him back to Rochdale for the rest of the season. They planned to loan him out for the upcoming campaign as well.
Since the deal fell through, Baah finished the season with Rochdale, albeit considering taking the next step up in his career. That upward mobility has now presented itself and has been taken.
Watford and Rochdale Announce Baah Agreement
The versatile attacker has signed for Watford on a five-year contract. Adam Leventhal of The Athletic reports the fee is in the region of £150,000, which is undeniably a bargain. Despite Baah’s contract running out in the summer, his age and development with Rochdale made them entitled to compensation regardless. Watford paid the fee early to ensure there were no future conflicts and to guarantee no club could make a late swoop.
Baah Impressed in League One
After only featuring once in Rochdale’s first 11 league matches, Baah became a consistent name on the team sheet. Despite only starting 13 matches – with frequent substitute appearances – Baah found the back of the net three times and assisted twice. With better finishers around him, the assist tally would be much higher. In January, he earned the EFL Young Player of the Month award.
Baah has found most of his success as a left-winger, a position where Watford could look to improve upon their Premier League return. Following pre-season, Xisco Munoz and his staff will need to decide whether Baah should be given a chance in the top-flight right away or whether a loan would be best for his development. The latter is most likely for now. Either way, one thing is for certain: Watford have completed a shrewd signing for the future.
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