Kyprianou’s move to Watford could be confirmed tomorrow.

Midfielder Hector Kyprianou is set to be the first new Watford signing of this summer. The Watford Observer understands that the 23-year-old Cyprus international’s transfer might be revealed as early as tomorrow (Friday). His contract with League One Peterborough United expires at the end of June, and Kyprianou has made no secret that he will be leaving London Road. And, because Kyprianou will turn 24 before his United contract expires, Peterborough will not be entitled to any compensation for his services, resulting in a free transfer to Watford. “I have no doubt Posh will be successful again very soon, but I felt it was time to move on,” he told the club’s Posh Plus service earlier this week.

“I said I was ambitious on day one, so I had to seize this opportunity. Money has never motivated me, and it never will. He is a player that has been on the Hornets’ radar for some time: in each of the last three transfer windows there have been unsuccessful attempts to get him to Vicarage Road. The 23-year-old from Enfield began his career in Tottenham’s Academy system before going across London to Leyton Orient, where he played for the Under-18s. He earned experience through a series of work experience loans, beginning with a month with Harlow Town, then a longer stint with Bishops Stortford, where he made 21 first-team appearances, and ultimately playing just one game for Hampton and Richmond Borough.

His first taste of international football came when he was selected to play for Cyprus’ Under-19s, where he earned six caps and three more for the Under-21s. Kyprianou made his senior debut for Orient in an EFL Trophy match against Brighton Under-21s in November 2019. The 19/20 season saw the midfielder collect eight outings for the east London club, and then he notched up 25 the following campaign as well as his first goal, which came in an FA Cup fixture against Newport County. He finally made his breakthrough in 21/22, making 46 appearances and playing in 38 of the O’s 46 League Two games, and it drew the notice of League One Peterborough United, who paid Orient  £400,000 for his services.

In his first season he registered another 46 senior outings and also scored three league goals, before following up in 23/24 with a further 54 first-team games, scoring eight goals in the process. Last summer Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson picked Kyprianou as team captain, and after missing the opening two games of the season with a fractured wrist he went on to make 40 appearances and score five goals. One of the five came in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley in April, when Peterborough defeated Birmingham 2-0 to retain the trophy they had won a year earlier.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk