Watford complete Iker Bravo signing from Udinese
Watford have finalised the arrival of Iker Bravo, bringing the 21-year-old striker to Vicarage Road on a three-year deal. The Hornets, who finished 16th in the Championship last season with 57 points, have paid Udinese a €4m transfer fee for the young forward. Leverkusen, who held a 50% sell-on clause from Bravo’s earlier move to Udinese, will receive almost €1.9m from this deal.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 16th in Championship, 57 pts, 14W-15D-17L from 46 games, recent form LLLLL. The Hornets shipped 65 goals last term, leaving them with a -12 goal difference as they look to rebound under new management.
How the transfer breaks down
Bravo arrives at Watford after just one season in Serie A with Udinese, where he made his professional debut. The fee Watford paid to Udinese is just under €4m, with Leverkusen set to benefit from a 50% sell-on clause agreed when Bravo left the German club in 2024. That clause triggers now, with the Rhineland side receiving €1.89m of the total transfer income.
According to Kicker, the sell-on structure was part of the original agreement when Udinese signed Bravo from Leverkusen three years ago. The clause means Leverkusen recoup nearly half of the fee Watford paid, turning a potential loss into a tidy profit. For Watford, the move adds attacking depth as they chase a return to the Premier League.
What Bravo brings to the Hornets
At 21, Bravo is a developing striker with Serie A experience, having featured for Udinese last season. His arrival gives Watford another option in attack as they aim to improve on last year’s 53 goals scored and 65 conceded. The Hornets’ recent form of five straight losses underlines the need for fresh faces, and Bravo could slot into a reshaped frontline.
The striker’s contract runs until summer 2029, giving Watford long-term security up front. With Coventry 38 points clear at the top of the Championship, Watford will need every weapon available to close the gap and mount a push for the playoffs.
Next steps for Watford and Bravo
Bravo is expected to link up with his new teammates ahead of Watford’s next fixture, a home clash against Bristol City on 20 February 2027. The Hornets, 12th in the table at that stage, will be looking to build momentum as the season progresses.
For Bravo, the move marks a fresh start in England after his brief stint in Italy. His development under Watford’s coaching staff will be closely watched, especially as the club targets a stronger league position than last season’s 16th-place finish. The Leverkusen sell-on clause means the club’s hierarchy will keep an eye on any future transfer activity involving Bravo, ensuring a financial return if his value rises.
