Former Watford midfielder Nordin Amrabat has returned to Dutch football, signing a one-year contract with FC Utrecht at the age of 39. The Moroccan international's move was confirmed by the club this week.
Amrabat had been training with Utrecht to maintain his fitness before putting pen to paper on the deal. His career includes a notable spell at Vicarage Road, where he made 48 appearances for Watford over a year and a half before departing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He most recently played for Hull City, joining on a free transfer in January 2025 and featuring in 10 games.
Nordin Amrabat has extensive experience across Europe and beyond. After beginning his professional career in the Netherlands with Almere City and VVV-Venlo, he played for PSV Eindhoven. His journey then took him to Turkey with Kayserispor and Galatasaray, to Spain with Malaga, and to Greece where he scored 21 goals in 113 games for AEK Athens. He also started his career in Morocco with Wydad Casablanca, playing 36 games and scoring three times.
His time at Watford remains a key chapter, bridging his move from Galatasaray to subsequent clubs. The Hornets are currently 13th in the Championship with 5 points from four games, having scored 4 goals and conceded 5.
The veteran midfielder joins an Utrecht side looking to add experience and versatility to their squad. Amrabat can operate in central midfield or out wide, offering tactical options for the Dutch club's manager. His signing follows a period without a club after his short-term deal with Hull City concluded.
"Utrecht have announced that 39-year-old Moroccan midfielder Nordin Amrabat has joined the side," the club stated in their official announcement. His immediate focus will be on integrating with the squad and competing for a starting place in the Eredivisie.
While Amrabat's move is a footnote in Watford's history, the club's current campaign is the main focus. Watford are five points behind league leaders Swansea City in the early Championship table. Their form reads LDDW from their opening four matches, showing a mix of resilience and room for improvement.
The squad, which fans can view on our squad page, is preparing for its next challenge. Watford's immediate attention turns to an away fixture against West Bromwich Albion, who are 7th, on September 5th. This match is part of a busy schedule detailed on our fixtures list. Amrabat's one-year deal with Utrecht runs until the end of the 2026-27 season.
