Today was a big day for Udinese, as they presented their fans with two new arrivals: Marvin Zeegelaar and Sebastian Prödl.
Both so happened to come from Watford, making it what feels like the 75th transfer between the two clubs, as father and son collaborated once again to try and help each other’s assets out.
While some may find this a bit dodgy, no one has said anything about it, and those in charge at Udinese are thrilled with the, let’s call it, ‘partnership’ between the two sides, as you would expect them to.
Already praised by their technical director, Pierpaolo Marino, the ‘virtuous collaboration’ was also commented on by their general director, Franco Collavino, in quotes relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb.
He said: “Zeegelaar isn’t welcomed, he’s welcomed back. Last year, he played 12 games and made an important contribution to Udinese staying up. Prödl is mature and has international experience. We’re happy he joins us today and is part of our family.
“The relationship with Watford? Let’s talk about a virtuous collaboration, and for me is one of the most innovative aspects that football has shown in recent years. The advantage has been and is there, with players arriving in Udinese who normally would be unlikely to.
“It also applies in the other direction: thanks to Watford, many players have been valued who would not have found space here. The example is Odion Ighalo. He went to Watford, the sale allowed Udinese to cash out bonuses and now he’s at Manchester United”.
The Nigeria international was a surprise deadline day acquisition by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, arriving on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until June.
He was bought by Watford from Udinese for £7.2m back in October 2014 after enjoying a good first couple of months on loan there, which is what Collavino was referring to.
Three years later, he made the Hornets a huge profit by being sold to now Chinese second-tier side Changchun Yatai for £21m.
Whatever you think of this Udinese-Watford ‘virtuous collaboration’, as they call it, it seems to work for them.
As long as they aren’t breaking any rules, it remains clever business from the Pozzos.
