William Ekong has wished Watford an instant return to the Premier League as he departed for Italian Serie A club Salernitana on loan.
Ekong, 29, has signed a contract with Salernitana till the end of the season.
He has returned to Italy after his previous time with Udinese.
In a farewell message on social media, he told the Watford fans he is now one of them and the hope is for the club to return to the top league.
“To all the fans thank you for your support, it has been special going from watching as a boy to stepping on the pitch as a player,” he said.
“As now a fan again I wish for promotion just as much as all of you and will be back watching from the stands in the future.”
Ekong paid a glowing tribute the entire English Championship team and also said Watford made him realise his dream to play in the Premier League, while also describing promotion back to the Premier League as one of “the highlights” of his career.
