Marc Bola became Watford’s third acquisition of the summer on Friday.
Marc Bola feels he has unfinished business in the Championship as he returns to England following a two-year stint in Turkey. Bola became Watford’s third signing of an early summer recruitment push on Friday, less than 24 hours after it was reported that he would be leaving Turkish Super Lig side Samsunspor.
His exit occurred after a fantastic season in which Bola was a regular and his team qualified for the Europa League for the first time in history, finishing third.
He joined Samsunspor from Boro, where he had spent the previous four seasons and became a fan favourite. However, after falling out of favour with Chris Wilder and Michael Carrick, he decided to look for other options. Now back in the Championship, Bola has set clear targets for the Hornets, who will be a Boro opponent in the next season.
“It feels really nice to be back,” he told the club’s website. “I enjoyed my stint at Samsunspor. We managed to qualify for the Europa League, which was great. We ended on a high. It matured me even more than I expected.
“After speaking with the Chairman and individuals around the club, I believe Watford has a significant couple of seasons ahead of them. We’re genuinely trying [for promotion], and I knew that from the moment I arrived here. I wish to repay everyone and return us to where we belong. “We genuinely want to be promoted as a team.
We have great goals, and I’m just glad to be on board. Personally, I’m just looking to play as many games as possible. I have unfinished business in this league, and I believe this is the best team to help me reach that aim.”
As for what prompted Watford to sign the former Boro player, Hornets sports director Gian Luca Nani was unambiguous in his assessment of the 27-year-old, who made over 100 appearances during his four years at Boro and was a member of Carrick’s side that reached the play-offs in 2023.
“We have been watching Marc for some time and his performances in the Turkish league have been outstanding,” Nani told me. “He has brought consistency to his game and Championship experience, so we are delighted to welcome him to Vicarage Road.”
“We see him primarily as a left back, but he can also play in the centre of defence. We undoubtedly considered other choices, but Marc’s expertise and age made him the clear choice as we prepare for the upcoming season.”
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