João Ferreira signed for Watford in the January 2023 window but failed to really impose himself for the Hornets. He was then sent on loan to sister club Udinese last season and was a regular in Serie A for the Italian side.
Whilst he wasn’t always a starter, the 23-year-old made 37 appearances for Udinese, mainly playing as a central defender or an advanced right-back.
He returned to Watford after the loan and has since been sent to SC Braga to try his luck in the Liga Portugal.
Before moving to Watford, Ferreira had been on loan at Rio Ave from Benfica, having come through the ranks with the Lisbon club.
At Rio Ave he played with his cousin Costinha, who currently plays for Olympiacos.
O Jogo have spoken to Costinha about the Watford owned player, and he was obviously very positive about his family member: “He can aspire to be a starter in the short term. All players have this ambition. The adaptation period will be shorter, he is familiar with the championship, he already knows the club and some of his new teammates, so he just needs to adapt to coach Carlos Carvalhal’s ideas.
“He is a young player, he can play in several positions, both with three central defenders, as he did at Udinese, and as an outfield player, as he played at Rio Ave. In Italy, he also played like this. As a third central defender, he responds well and is a full-back with attacking characteristics, who, when moving up the line, provides great support to the attack. He will be an asset to coach Carvalhal’s team. Playing with a line of five, as he likes, João will have an important role.
“He has already shown that he has quality at the clubs he has played for. It will be an interesting competition with Víctor Gómez, a full-back that I also like, but above all it will be good for both of them because they will certainly improve.”
Watford will be hoping João Ferreira can succeed in Portugal and develop further. The Hornets have the player secured on a contract which lasts until June 2027.
