Mamadou Doumbia: Watford sign Mali striker on six-year deal

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Mamadou Doumbia scored four goals to help Mali finish third at the Under-17 World Cup last year

Watford have signed teenage striker Mamadou Doumbia on a six-year contract from African side Black Stars FC.

The 18-year-old Mali youth international has signed a deal to run from 1 July 2024.

The left-footed forward starred at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Mali finish fourth with four goals in five games.

Doumbia also scored four times at the Under-17 World Cup last year, including a hat-trick against Uzbekistan.

Valerien Ismael's Watford are 11th in the Championship, seven points shy of a play-off place.

The Hornets are in their second season back in the second tier, having last been relegated from the Premier League in 2022.

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