Kenyan midfielder joins Watford

Kenyan midfielder Henry Ochieng has earned a dream move to Championship side Watford on a six months contract until the end of the 2020-2021 season.

The 22-year-old joins the club from Irish side Cork City as he makes a return to English football, linking up with the Hornets’ U23 side.

Watford confirmed the signing of the midfielder who has made a single appearance for Kenya U23 side, coming on as a substitute in the 5-0 thrashing of Mauritius in an AFCON U-23 qualifier in 2018.

“Watford FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Under-23 midfielder Henry Ochieng.

“Having spent time at West Ham and Leyton Orient's academies, Ochieng made his senior debut for the O's in November 2016,” read a statement from Watford.

Ochieng was the silver lining in Cork City’s dark and disappointing season in which they were relegated to the Irish second tier.

He took to Twitter after putting pen to paper on the Watford deal and also sent a farewell message to Cork City. 

“Delighted to have signed for Watford. Looking forward to the new journey ahead.

“Thank you to everyone Cork City for my season there. Met some amazing people and I’m grateful to have played for such a prestigious club. Wish you all the best for the years to come,” read his post.

He has also turned out for Braintree Town, Welwyn Garden City, Wingate & Finchley in the lower leagues of England before making the switch to Cork City in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

His football journey started back in 2009 when he joined Buckhurst Hill, a junior side in London before being spotted and signed by the youth team at West Ham United.

After six years with The Hammers in which he gained a wealth of experience, Ochieng signed a two-year scholarship with Leyton Orient in November 2015.

The midfielder signed a professional contract with the club a month later and made his League Two debut on 25 March 2017 coming on as an 81st-minute substitute in Orient's 3–0 defeat away to Crawley Town.

He embarked on a new journey following his release by Orient in March 2018 as he joined newly promoted National League club Braintree Town.

Ochieng joined lower league sides Welwyn Garden City and Wingate & Finchley in 2019 and 2020 before he signed for Cork City.

The midfielder will join fellow Kenyan Clarke Odour who turns out for Barnsley and might play a role in Watford's promotion back to the Premier League as they are currently third on the standings, level on points (46) with second place Swansea City.