Official: Super Eagles captain joins PAOK

With a statement on their official club website, Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki FC have announced the signing of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong from Watford.

Troost-Ekong inked a three-year deal with PAOK to keep him with the Greek side until 2026.

With the move, Troost-Ekong ended his three-year spell at Watford.

The Nigerian defender joined Watford from Udinese in September 2020 and helped the Hornets gain promotion to the English Premier League at the end of his first season at the club.

But he only featured sparingly as Watford crumbled in the top flight, suffering an immediate return to the Championship.

Ekong played 15 times for the Golden Boys in the second tier in the first half of the campaign before he moved on loan to Serie A side Salernitana in January.

He made nine league appearances for the Italian side, scoring one goal (against his former club Udinese) and helping them escape relegation.

But Salernitana decided against making his loan deal permanent, forcing the 29-year-old to return to Watford.

Earlier reports suggested that Panathinaikos, Genoa and Verona were the clubs leading the race to sign Troost-Ekong. But it is PAOK that has acquired the services of the former KAA Gent ace.

PAOK finished fourth in the Greek Super League last season and will play in the Europa Conference League next term.