Watford FC have announced the signing of Angelo Ogbonna on an initial one-year deal.

The defender has been a free agent since leaving West Ham United at the end of last season and brings experience from the top-flight in England and Italy to Tom Cleverley’s defensive ranks.

He made 17 appearances in all competitions in 2023/24, including seven starts in the Premier League. “I cannot wait to play for Watford,” Ogbonna told the club’s website.

“It is very important to bring in some experience, like with Moussa [Sissoko]. I have spoken with the manager a couple of times, so I know his style of play. I am here to try my best and to try to help the team.”

Beginning his career with Italian side Torino, the centre-back made his professional debut in Serie A in the 2006/07 season. He spent seven years with Il Toro, making 163 appearances in all competitions.

He then moved across Turin to join Juventus in the summer of 2013, winning the Serie A title in both seasons he spent at the club, as well as the 2014/15 Coppa Italia.

After 55 appearances in two years, Ogbonna came to the Premier League when he signed for West Ham in July 2015.

In total, he spent nine years with the Hammers, making 249 appearances for the side; 201 of these came in the Premier League, making him the Italian with the second-most appearances in the division behind former Watford manager Gianfranco Zola.

He was also part of the West Ham side that won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023, coming on as a substitute in stoppage-time in the 2-1 win in the final over Fiorentina.

Internationally, Ogbonna has made 13 appearances for Italy and was included in the squads for Euro 2012 and Euro 2016.