Watford seal signing of Formose Mendy on loan from Lorient

EFL Championship side Watford reinforced their backline with the signing of Senegalese international Formose Mendy from Lorient on the final transfer day in Europe.

The 24-year-old centre back arrived on a loan deal until the end of the season, with the Hornets having the option to buy. A statement from the club confirmed the signing: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Senegalese international Formose Mendy from Lorient. Welcome to Watford, Formose!”

Speaking on the club’s decision to sign Mendy, Watford Assistant Sporting Director Valon Behrami, said: “Formose was our number one target so we are absolutely delighted to close the deal. We’ve been tracking the player for some time amid lots of interest from other clubs.

“He has all the attributes our technical department wanted in a defender and will really add to and complement the defensive options the Head Coach has.”

Mendy, who is a right-sided player, and stands at 6ft 3in tall, will wear the number 27 shirt at Vicarage Road. He trained at the Darou Salam Academy in his hometown Dakar, before joining the youth systems at FC Porto and then Club Brugge.

He also managed 68 games for Amiens SC in Ligue 2, before switching to Lorient in 2023, where he made 42 appearances across the top two divisions in France, helping the club to the Ligue 2 title in 2024/25.

He has already been capped 10 times by Senegal, and was in the Lions of Teranga squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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