Michail Antonio: West Ham legend confirms return to English football as short-term contract signed

Experienced striker returns to the Championship after brief spell in Qatar

Michail Antonio has signed with Watford on a one-year deal, returning to English football for the first time since leaving West Ham in 2025.

The Irons released the Jamaica international in August 2025, nine months after he cheated death in a horror car accident in Epping Forest which left him hospitalised for three weeks.

He has since recovered from the four femur fractures he sustained in the smash, representing West Ham’s Under-21s and training with Brentford as he did so before spending a brief spell in Qatar with Al-Sailiya, playing just four times.

And the striker, now 36, has returned to the EFL, signing a short-term deal to become a Watford player.

A club statement confirming the deal suggests he has been brought in largely for his experience, which amounts to 410 appearances and 96 goals in the Premier League and Championship alone, not to mention multiple campaigns in European football.

He said after signing: “It’s a good set of boys here. They are focused and ready to show their abilities this season.

“Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can.

“I’ve scored a few goals against Watford! So hopefully I can score some for Watford now when I’m fully up to speed.”

Antonio has already appeared in training for his new side, and it is hoped he can feature for his new club on Saturday, when the Hornets host Stoke City.

Watford have made a middling start to the campaign under their latest head coach, Alessio Dionisi, taking two wins, two draws and two defeats from their opening six fixtures. That leaves them 12th in the Championship table.