Hassane Kamara: Watford defender joins Udinese but stays at Vicarage Road on loan Last updated on

Watford have sold full-back Hassane Kamara to Udinese for an undisclosed fee, but he will remain at Vicarage Road on loan for this season.

The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international has played 23 games since joining the Hornets from French club Nice in January for a reported £4m.

He was named player of the season in 2021-22, but has now agreed a deal with Udinese until the summer of 2026.

The Italian club also have an option to extend the contract for a further year.

Championship side Watford and Serie A club Udinese are both owned by the Italian Pozzo family.

"This further protects the club at a time when balancing financial wellbeing and retaining a squad to compete at the top end of the Championship are our top priorities," said Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury.

The club recently sold Emmanuel Dennis to Nottingham Forest for £20m and fellow forward Ismailia Sarr is poised to join Aston Villa for £25m, while Joao Pedro has been linked with Newcastle United.

This article originally appeared on BBC Sport

Photo: Rex Features