AFP

Watford's Okaka returns to Italy with Udinese loan

Milan (AFP) – Italian international striker Stefano Okaka has joined Udinese on loan from Premier League club Watford until the end of the season, the Serie A side confirmed on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old, who has played the last two seasons at Watford after arriving from Belgian outfit Anderlecht in mid-2016, has fallen out of favour at the English club who are under the ownership of the Italian Pozzo family who also control Udinese.

“Okaka is a strong point physically, good at defending the ball and getting the team up,” Udinese technical director Daniel Prade told the club’s website.

“Stefano is strong in the air and inside the penalty area.”

The four-time capped international forward has made just three substitute appearances for Watford this season.

Okaka started his career at Roma, spending seven years at the capital side where he made his first-team debut aged 16.

From 2007 he had loan spells at clubs including English side Fulham and Italian teams Bari and Parma, before joining Sampdoria for the 2014-2015 season.

Udinese are 14th in the Italian top flight.

200+ Channels With Sports & News
  • Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
  • Watch Premier League, Women’s World Cup, Euro 2024 & Gold Cup
The New Home of MLS
  • Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
  • Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
  • Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & FA Cup
2,000+ soccer games per year
  • Price: $5.99/mo
  • Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & Brasileirāo
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
  • Starting price: $5.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
  • Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season

EDITORS’ PICKS