Former Spurs midfielder Moussa Sissoko rejoins Watford
Moussa Sissoko of France and Gylfi Sigurdsson of Iceland in action in the EURO 2016 Quarter-Final at Stade de France Credit: Al Robinson (ETPhotos)
Watford have announced the return of Moussa Sissoko, who has signed a two-year contract as a free agent.
The 34-year-old midfielder previously played for the Hornets during the 2021/22 Premier League season and now rejoins the club to add significant experience to Tom Cleverley’s squad.
Sissoko, a UEFA Champions League runner-up with Tottenham Hotspur and a Euro 2016 finalist with France, has earned 71 caps for his national team.
During his first spell at Watford, he made 38 appearances, scored twice, and served as captain, playing alongside current head coach Tom Cleverley.
"We all know his qualities as a player and he's still playing at a very high level," Cleverley told watfordfc.com. "He's going to be a key part of the squad this year."
Born in Paris, Sissoko started his professional career at Toulouse, where he made 218 appearances and scored 24 goals over six seasons.
His performances attracted interest from top European clubs, leading to his move to Newcastle United in January 2013. At Newcastle, he played 133 matches and scored 12 goals over three-and-a-half seasons.
In August 2016, Sissoko transferred to Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £30 million. He made 202 appearances and scored five goals for Spurs, playing a role in their 2019 Champions League campaign, where he started in the final against Liverpool. He also featured in the 2021 League Cup final.
Sissoko joined Watford in August 2021 on a two-year deal, making 36 Premier League appearances and scoring against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
After one season, he moved to Ligue 1 side Nantes, where he played 72 matches and scored twice over two seasons, also earning a runners-up medal in the Coupe de France.
Internationally, Sissoko made his senior debut for France in October 2009. He was part of the squads for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
Reflecting on Sissoko's return, Cleverley highlighted his previous impact at the club: "He was our best player by a stretch the last time he was here. Even though it wasn’t a successful season for the club, he was one of the positives to come out of it."
