Watford have signed former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio on a free transfer, giving the Championship club an experienced attacking option as they seek greater consistency in front of goal.

The 36-year-old Jamaica international has agreed a one-year contract at Vicarage Road after training with Watford for the past month. His registration remains subject to international clearance, meaning he may or may not be available for Saturday’s home match against Stoke City.

Antonio returns to English football after a brief spell with Qatari club Al-Sailiya, where he made four appearances. He left West Ham in 2025 after the expiry of his contract, having scored 83 goals in 323 appearances during a decade with the London club. His 68 Premier League goals made him West Ham’s record scorer in the competition.

His final West Ham appearance came in December 2024, shortly before he suffered a serious lower-limb fracture in a car accident. The injury required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period, keeping him out of competitive football for an extended spell.

Antonio’s arrival gives Watford a physically imposing forward with Premier League experience, but his fitness and match sharpness will need to be managed carefully after limited competitive football in recent seasons. He will compete with the club’s existing forwards for a place in Alessio Dionisi’s team.

Watford have described the signing as an opportunity for Antonio to contribute both on and off the pitch. If international clearance arrives in time, his return could begin against Stoke; otherwise, he will have to wait for his first competitive appearance in English football since 2024.