Following the well-received announcement that Paul Robinson would be returning to Vicarage Road as an assistant coach, several academy players have signed their first professional contracts with Watford FC. Amongst them is talented prospect Michael Adu-Poku.
The 19-year-old has penned a contract spanning three years with the option to extend for a further two and will, subject to FA clearances, be linking up with National League side Solihull Moors for the rest of the season to aid his development. Former England under-18 international James Clarridge has also signed a new three-year deal.
Adu-Poku’s Impressive Rise
Poku joined the Watford Academy when he was 13 years old and has worked his way up through the ranks. Aged just 16 at the time, Poku earned his scholarship after impressing with performances in his regular features for the club’s under-18s side and occasional appearances for the under-21s.
Reasons for Watford fans to be hopeful about the young forward were further strengthened when Poku made his debut when he was 17. He started for Watford in the FA Cup in a 2-0 loss against Reading and not much later, he made his league debut against Rotherham as a substitute.
Despite playing just 11 minutes in the Championship fixture, Poku impressed the travelling supporters with his pace and ability on the ball up against the fullback.
Looking back on his debut in an interview with the Watford Observer, Poku stated:
“Those defenders were a lot smarter than me!
“I was thinking I could maybe use my physical ability against them, maybe outpace them or out-strength them.
“But they were just so clever. I learned a lot from that, because it taught me you need to play with your brain as much as anything else at that level.”
These cameos and a short spell at Kings Langley attracted the interest of Maidstone United where he spent the latter parts of last season. He failed to make much of an impact but the experience will still no doubt have been beneficial to his development.
More recently, Poku made two impressive pre-season appearances for the Hornets in away clashes with Wycombe Wanderers and Scottish side Hibernian. Poku displayed great movement in the tie against Hibs and delivered a great cross into the path of fellow academy graduate Amin Nabizada who tucked away the finish.
Watford Announce Loan Move For Prospect
According to the official club announcement, Adu-Poku will spend the remainder of the season at Solihull Moors FC, who currently sit 12th after 13 games in the Vanarama National League. Solihull are only three points outside of the National League playoffs and Poku may be able to provide the edge needed to get a shot at promotion to League Two for the second year running.
Watford staff and fans will eagerly be keeping a close eye on the progress of Poku this season with high hopes that he can replicate the achievements of fellow academy graduates like Ryan Andrews, who has been able to cement a consistent spot in the Watford lineup.
Under Tom Cleverley, the recruitment focus mostly appears to have shifted and despite the incomings of more senior players such as Angelo Ogbonna and Moussa Sissoko, those incomings were most likely an attempt to help aid the development of the flood of young players who arrived in the summer including Rocco Vata, Mamadou Doumbia, Pierre Dwomoh, Kevin Keben, Kayky Almeida and Antonio Tikvic.
While Watford supporters should be happy with the influx of prospects for the future, they will require experienced heads if they are to plot a route back into the Premier League. The Hornets travel to Luton Town this weekend, having lost their last three matches away from home in the Championship.