Watford striker Rajovic joins Brondby on loan

Mileta Rajovic celebrates scoring a goal for Watford against MillwallImage source, Getty Images
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Mileta Rajovic scored 14 goals for Watford, including a late winner at Millwall in the Championship last month

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Watford striker Mileta Rajovic has joined Danish side Brondby IF on a season-long loan deal.

Rajovic was the club's top scorer last season, with 11 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions, after signing from Swedish team Kalmar FF last August.

He had already scored three goals in five appearances this term, including a 90th-minute winner at Millwall in the Hornets' season-opening Championship game.

The 25-year-old also netted twice in Watford's Carabao Cup second-round win over Plymouth.

Rajovic, who is from Denmark, came through Brondby's academy as a junior.

"This is only a loan and we see this as part of a development plan for Mileta - not an exit plan," said Hornets head coach Tom Cleverley.

"I wanted to be fair to Mileta and have him get a lot more game time than is likely on offer if he stays with us right now, given the other options we've been able to add and, to a degree, our preferred formation."

Defender Joao Ferreira has also left Watford, joining Portuguese side SC Braga on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move.

The 23-year-old right-back came through Benfica's academy in his native Portugal and joined the Hornets in January 2023.

He made five appearances in the Championship during the 2022-23 season and spent last term on loan at Italian Serie A team Udinese.

There is an option to buy included in the deal for Ferreira, but not in the loan agreement for Rajovic.