Watford FC has announced the acquisition of defender Marc Bola from Turkish Süper Lig side Samsunspor, with the 27-year-old signing a three-year contract. Bola becomes the Hornets’ third new face as they build their squad for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The London-born full-back, a product of Arsenal’s academy, embarked on his professional career with loan spells at Notts County and Bristol Rovers before making a permanent move to Blackpool in 2018.
During his time at Blackpool, Bola enjoyed a successful individual season, earning the League One club’s Player of the Year award, which subsequently paved his way to the Championship with Middlesbrough.
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Bola spent four seasons at Riverside Stadium, where he made 103 appearances and scored three goals before making the switch to Turkey’s top flight in July 2023. He featured in over 50 matches for Samsunspor across two seasons before his recent transfer to Vicarage Road.
Watford’s Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani expressed his satisfaction with the signing, highlighting Bola as a top target.
“We have been watching Marc for some time and his performances in the Turkish league have been outstanding,” Nani told www.watfordfc.com. “He has brought consistency to his game and also has the experience of the Championship, so we are delighted to bring him to Vicarage Road.”
Nani further elaborated on Bola’s versatility and suitability for the club’s plans. “Primarily, we see him as a left-back, but he does have the ability to play in the centre of defence. We obviously studied other options, but Marc’s experience and age made him the standout candidate as we plan for the new season.”
Speaking to the club’s official website, Bola conveyed his excitement about the move and his aspirations with the Hornets. “I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “We really want to get promoted as a team. We’ve got big plans and I’m just happy to be on board.”
The defender also indicated a personal motivation for returning to the Championship. “Personally, I just want to play as many games as possible,” he added. “I have unfinished business in this league and I feel like this is the right club to be a part of to achieve that goal.”
Bola’s arrival is expected to provide valuable experience and depth to Watford’s defensive line as they aim for a strong campaign in the Championship.
