Danish winger Phillip Zinckernagel has penned a five-and-a-half year contract with the hornets, turning down several of Europe’s elite clubs in the process.
Zinckernagel has signed on the dotted line for Watford, upon the expiry of his contract at Norwegian champions Glimt, and agreed a monster contract which will keep him at Vicarage Road until June 2027.
The prolific winger contributed 19 goals and 18 assists in 28 appearances during last season’s Eliteserien – firing Glimt to a comfortable league title victory for the first time in their history.
His brilliant performances in Norway, have tempted Watford, a team which already has an abundance of wide players at their disposal, to offer him a lengthy contract.
The Dane revealed upon signing for the hornets, that the allure of getting to the Premier League saw him reject more lucrative offers from clubs in Germany, Scotland and Turkey.
“I could have chosen to go to clubs where I would have earned more money,” said Zinckernagel.
“I preferred the sporting challenge to money, not that it’s a bad package I’ve got at Watford and it’s a five-and-a-half-year contract.
“I had offers from clubs in Turkey, the Netherlands, Schalke in Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and a lot in Eastern Europe. And additionally, Celtic were also involved.
“I had to make a decision before Brexit and I got the best feeling at Watford.
“It is a club with great potential. The overall package with their ambitions, finances and my opportunities for playing time was the best for me.
“If I didn’t take the opportunity now, I might never get the chance again. It was now or never.
“The opportunity to be able to play in the Premier League will be greater here in Watford, I think. It will be a dream come true to get there.
“The facilities at Watford are absolutely insane. The canteen is like a five star restaurant. It’s a whole different world for me. In training, there are more coaches than there were players in Glimt.”
The hornet’s recently appointed manager Xisco Munoz, expects his new signing will not find it an issue fitting in at Vicarage Road – due to his quality as a footballer.
“I’m very happy with Phillip. He’s good for us, it’s a good moment. He’s in a very good group, I’m sure he’ll have a good connection with them.
“You will see, I think, that he’s a very good player. He will bring good things to the team and we will see in the future what he can give us.”
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