Watford send former Flying Eagles midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru to Reading on a season-long loan

NEWLY-promoted English Premier League side Watford have sent former Flying Eagles midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru to Championship side Reading on a season-long loan to enable him grab valuable playing time.

Dele-Bashiru, 22, who featured for Nigeria in the 2019 U-20 World Cup in Poland, scoring the Flying Eagles' third goal in their opening 4-0 victory over Qatar, joined Watford from Manchester City on a six-year contract that same year. However, last season, he only made two appearances for the club last season due to a nagging injury.

He now becomes the second Nigerian to leave Watford on a loan deal this summer after Dapo Mebude, recently joined AFC Wimbledon. At Reading, Dele-Bashiru will team up with compatriot Ovie Ejaria, in what could be the formation of a midfield partnership that could one day feature for the Super Eagles at international level.

During his time with Manchester City, where he began his career, Dele-Bashiru gained experience of European football in the Uefa Youth League, while also featuring in the Premier League too. A powerful holding midfielder, he made his senior debut with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup against Leicester City in December 2017 when he came off the bench to replace Phil Foden.

Internationally,  Dele-Bashiru had featured for England's U16 team but made the switch with Fifa, enabling him to represent Nigeria. He is now hoping to gain valuable playing time that will enable him to return to the Premier League and break into the Nigerian senior team the Super Eagles.