Watford’s Summer Exits: A Mixed Bag of Regular Minutes, Injuries, and Playoff Dreams

Watford’s 2025 summer clear-out saw seven first-team players depart permanently, shedding over 500 combined appearances and a wealth of experience to streamline the squad under manager Paulo Pezzolano.

The Hornets, currently 12th in the Championship with 18 points from 12 games, recouped around €8.5m in fees and wages, but the exits have left gaps in defense and attack. Here’s an updated look at how those players are faring in their new chapters — from Ligue 1 solidity to ACL heartbreak and MLS playoff pushes — as of October 29, 2025.

Francisco Sierralta (Auxerre)

Sierralta was the first out the door, joining Ligue 1 newcomers Auxerre for a seven-figure fee (€2.9m) in June 2025 after five years at Vicarage Road, where he made 123 appearances. The 28-year-old Chilean international has been a rock at center-back, starting all nine of Auxerre’s league games (missing one due to minor injury) and scoring his debut goal — a headed consolation in a 3-1 loss to Lens on October 5. His aerial dominance (winning 68% of duels) and composure on the ball have earned praise, but Auxerre languish in 18th (bottom two) with just two wins from 10 matches, conceding 19 goals. Sierralta’s market value has held steady at €1.5m, and he’s voiced contentment: “It’s a new challenge, but I’m loving the pace of Ligue 1.”

Mileta Rajovic (Legia Warsaw)

The Serbian striker’s €2.85m move to Legia in July 2025 made him the most expensive Ekstraklasa signing ever, but it’s been a tale of early promise and familiar frustrations. Rajovic burst out with four goals in his first eight games — including a brace on debut against Górnik Zabrze — but has managed just one more in eight subsequent appearances, totaling five in 16 overall. Polish outlet Weszlo lambasted his “obvious technical limitations” in a column this week, noting his goal tally doesn’t offset poor hold-up play and decision-making — a critique echoing his Watford stint (13 goals in 56 games). Legia sit fourth with 22 points from 12 matches, but Rajovic’s form dip has seen him benched twice recently. At 26, his €2.5m valuation holds, but whispers of a January loan back to England persist.

Antonio Tikvic (Preußen Münster)

Tikvic’s €700,000 arrival from Watford in July 2025 marked Preußen Münster’s record signing, but tragedy struck on debut: an ACL tear after just eight minutes against Karlsruhe on August 2. The 21-year-old German-Croatian center-back, a former Bayern Munich youth product, was stretchered off and confirmed with the full rupture on August 4, sidelining him for 6–9 months — potentially until April 2026. Münster, mid-table in 2. Bundesliga (10th, 14 points from 10 games), signed Jannis Heuer as immediate cover, but managing director Ole Kittner called the injury “incredibly sorry,” vowing full support for Tikvic’s rehab. No return timeline yet, but early reports suggest surgery went well; his €1m valuation may dip during absence.

Ryan Porteous (LAFC)

Porteous has been a revelation since his $1m move to LAFC in August 2025, forming a robust center-back partnership with Nkosi Tafari and Eddie Segura that anchored eight clean sheets in 12 regular-season games. The 26-year-old Scot started all 10 of LAFC’s September–October wins, contributing to their third-place Western Conference finish (18W-7L-9D, 63 points) and a six-game winning streak. Now in the MLS Cup playoffs, Porteous is pivotal in their best-of-three Round One series against Austin FC, starting Game 1 on October 29 at BMO Stadium (LAFC leads 1-0 after a 2-1 win). His defensive solidity (92% pass accuracy, 2.1 clearances/game) has ESPN analysts calling him “the unsung hero” of LAFC’s title push, with a potential MLS Cup final against the Philadelphia Union on the horizon. Teammate Hugo Lloris praised him: “Ryan’s brought steel and leadership — he’s our rock.”

Joao Ferreira (Saint-Étienne)

Ferreira’s free transfer to Saint-Étienne in August 2025 has rejuvenated his career, with the 24-year-old Portuguese right-back featuring in 10 of 12 Ligue 2 matches — more than his 12 Watford appearances across two seasons. He debuted with an assist in a 2-1 win over Rodez AF and has since locked down the right flank, contributing to Saint-Étienne’s fourth-place start (7W-3D-2L, 24 points). His overlapping runs and defensive duels won (62%) have earned a 7.1 Sofascore average rating, and he’s voiced delight: “This is my chance to shine — Saint-Étienne feels like home.” With promotion in sight, Ferreira’s €3m valuation has risen 20%, signaling a breakout year.

Ryan Andrews (Young Boys)

Andrews’ €3m move to Young Boys in August 2025 has seen the 21-year-old English right-back gradually integrate into the Swiss Super League side, now fifth with 16 points from 10 games. After early substitute cameos, he’s started the last three matches, including Europa League ties against Panathinaikos (3-1 win, October 23) and Ludogorets (3-2 win, October 3), providing an assist in the latter. His pace and crossing (1.8 key passes/game) have impressed, earning a 6.9 WhoScored rating, though defensive lapses (three concessions in starts) remain a work in progress. Andrews debuted in Europe against Panathinaikos and told Blick: “It’s a step up — the physicality suits me, and I’m loving the Champions League path.” His €2.5m value holds steady as Young Boys eye a quarter-final run.

Angelo Ogbonna (Unattached)

The 37-year-old Italian center-back’s one-year Watford spell (eight appearances, one clean sheet) ended unceremoniously in June 2025, with the club opting not to renew amid relegation fears. Since becoming a free agent on July 1, Ogbonna has attracted no firm offers, training alone and rejecting lower-tier moves in favor of a Serie A return or MLS stint. His €150k market value reflects age and injury history (missed 20 games last season), and whispers of a Genoa trial in September 2025 fizzled out. Ogbonna, a 2015 Juventus title winner with 38 Italy caps, told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I’m fit and ready — but I want the right project, not just any club.” At 37, retirement looms, but his experience could suit a veteran role in the Championship or abroad.

---

Overall Verdict: Watford’s summer exodus has been a mixed success. Defenders like Sierralta, Porteous, and Ferreira are thriving in regular roles and pushing for promotions/playoffs, while Andrews builds momentum in Europe. Rajovic echoes his Watford inconsistency, Tikvic faces a long rehab, and Ogbonna remains in limbo. The €8.5m recouped has funded Watford’s rebuild — they’re unbeaten in five — but losing experience has exposed midfield frailties. As the Championship heats up, these ex-Hornets could haunt or help in cup ties.

Player	New Club	Appearances (2025/26)	Goals/Assists	League Position	Key Highlight
Sierralta	Auxerre	9	1/0	18th (Ligue 1)	Goal vs. Lens
Rajovic	Legia Warsaw	16	5/1	4th (Ekstraklasa)	Early-season brace
Tikvic	Preußen Münster	1	0/0	10th (2. Bundesliga)	ACL tear on debut
Porteous	LAFC	12	0/0	3rd (West, MLS)	Playoff series lead
Ferreira	Saint-Étienne	10	0/1	4th (Ligue 2)	Debut assist
Andrews	Young Boys	5	0/1	5th (Super League)	EL assist vs. Ludogorets
Ogbonna	Unattached	0	0/0	N/A	Training solo

Sources: Transfermarkt, Sofascore, FBref, club sites.