Hornets defender Hoedt makes Saudi switch
Dutch defender Wesley Hoedt is swapping Vicarage Road for the Saudi Pro League
- Published
Watford Player of the Year Wesley Hoedt has left the club to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab.
The 30-year-old - who has won six caps for the Netherlands - joined the Hornets from Belgian side Anderlecht in January 2023.
Hoedt made himself a fans' favourite with a goal on his debut against Blackburn and went on to play 15 times in 2022-23, then every minute of 48 games last season, wearing the captain’s armband on 32 occasions.
He missed only two games in all competitions - through suspension - and was named player of the season in addition to winning the club’s goal of the season award for a long-range strike against Hull.
Hoedt, who has also played for Southampton, Celta Vigo and Lazio, was entering the final year of his contract and heads to Riyadh for an undisclosed fee to join the side that finished eighth in the Saudi Pro League last season.
He will play under Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira, formerly of Porto and Olympiakos, while Belgium international Yannick Carrasco is among their overseas players.