In January 2018, Dodi Lukebakio left Belgian club Anderlecht and joined Watford, where he signed a four-and-a-half-year contract.
The winger made only one appearance for the Hornets last season, when he came on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes against West Ham United.
He sat down for a lengthy interview with Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad and admitted the limited playing time in the first few months at the club showed why it was not the right decision to join the Premier League outfit midway through the last campaign.
“Watford bought me as a long-term investment, but I did not realise that. It was a bad choice, since that transfer took place in the winter. That’s not a good time for a transfer,” Lukebakio explained.
The 21-year-old join Fortuna Düsseldorf on a season-long loan deal before the start of this campaign and the Bundesliga do not have the option to sign him on a permanent transfer later in the summer.
Lukebakio, who explained why he wanted to go out on loan, revealed that he had offers from Belgium, but Watford blocked his transfer to those clubs.
“But I am a special player. I am capable of [overcoming] very difficult things I thought. I had to prove myself in training and thought there was a chance. I had a lot of hope. I did not think my chances would be limited to 15 minutes against West Ham,” he said.
“Watford did not want to loan me last summer. That is why Fortuna Düsseldorf did not receive a purchase option.
“The trainer apparently counted on me but after what happened last season, I was not convinced. I had to play somewhere.
“I heard that Club Brugge and Anderlecht wanted me perhaps, but Watford did not want me to go to Belgium. It had to be a competition with the rhythm of the Premier League.”
Lukebakio has scored 11 goals and registered three assists for Fortuna Duesseldorf in all competitions.
