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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong reveals why he left Watford to join Salernitana.
Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong has revealed the motivation behind his January transfer window move from Watford to Salernitana.
The Super Eagles captain left English Championship side Watford to join Salernitana on loan with an obligation to buy and is now explaining the rationale behind the move.
The 29-year-old revealed that he left Watford because he felt undervalued at the club and he wanted a new challenge.
Troost-Ekong explains Salernitana transfer
“This was the hardest choice I’ve had to make in my career,” Troost-Ekong told The Athletic in explanation of the move.
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“Every time I’ve had a great opportunity to go to a club, which was a progression in my career, it’s always been a no-brainer. “But it was a difficult choice because I really feel invested at Watford and I wanted to be part of the squad again to get promoted — I know what that felt like,” the 29-year-old center-back added.
Troost-Ekong helped gain Premier League promotion in his first season, but he struggled to keep up with the pace in his second season.
He was part of a Watford side that got relegated after getting just 23 points in 38 games but had found his way back into the team in the Championship this season before leaving to join Salernitana.
Troost-Ekong's words on Watford exit
“Salernitana did their best to give me a great opportunity to try to improve every aspect — playing time, economically, and an opportunity to play in a good league. You have to consider it," the Nigerian defender said on the transfer.
Troost-Ekong continued "At the end of last season, having not really featured for the second half of the season, it was a conversation I had with the club about what I wanted to do."
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“They were always very good on it and expressed that they wanted me to stay and I fought my way back into the team. I was enjoying my football initially under Rob Edwards and in games under Slaven Bilic up to the World Cup break," Ekong revealed the situation preceding the transfer.
“I was ready for a new challenge. I also felt slightly undervalued at Watford and then you have to make a decision about your career,” Troost-Ekong concluded.
Troost-Ekong has already settled at Salernitana. He played all 90 minutes in their 2-1 victory over Lecce last weekend in what was a solid debut.
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