Troost-Ekong seals PAOK three-year deal

Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong has completed a summer transfer to PAOK Thessaloniki FC of Greece from English Championship side Watford.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Monday disclosed that Troost-Ekong joined PAOK on a permanent deal after putting pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Greek Super League club side.

“It is now over for Abdul Rahman Baba at Chelsea. Contract set to be terminated on mutual agreement and he is joining Greek side, PAOK,” Romano said.

“PAOK will sign Baba as free agent on two year deal until 2025, also William Troost-Ekong joins PAOK from Watford on a three-year deal.”

Earlier reports suggest that Troost-Ekong was wanted by a host of clubs including Panathinaikos, Genoa and Verona.

The centre-back signed for the Hornets from Udinese in 2020, and went on to make 68 appearances for the club, which included helping them to the Premier League in 2021.

However, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the past two seasons, and he was sent out on loan to Salernitana last season.

The Nigerian defender made 73 Serie A appearances (including his time at Udinese), before scoring his first-ever goal in the competition.

That was with the last kick of the game as Salernitana rallied from 2-0 down to defeat Udinese 3-2 in their final home match of the 2022/23 Serie A season.

With the Serie A side deciding against triggering an option to make the move permanent, Troost-Ekong had returned to Watford, but he’s on the move again.