João Pedro marked his 19th birthday with a special goal on this day three years ago, netting the winner in Watford’s first match with rivals Luton Town in over 13 years.
The forward joined Watford in January 2020 from Fluminense in his native Brazil, having agreed to become a Hornet in the months prior.
Earlier in his teens João Pedro turned heads for his maturity and endless stream of goals. A hat-trick against Atlético Nacional and an audacious bicycle-kick goal against Cruzeiro were just two of the moments which excited Watford fans upon his arrival.
A move to an unfamiliar country with a different language and culture may have seemed daunting for João Pedro, but in his first half-season in England he integrated into the squad seamlessly, making three Premier League appearances.
It was in the Championship during the 2020/21 campaign where he properly established himself in England, however.
The last time Watford had played against Luton before September 26, 2020, João Pedro was only four years old. Now the Brazilian was the focal point, getting on the end of a Ken Sema cross to score the only goal of the match.
That was the first of nine goals in 38 Championship appearances as he helped Watford return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The birthday boy scored three goals in 28 games back in the top-flight during 2021/22, including an emotional strike in the 4-1 hammering of Manchester United, before netting 11 times in 35 outings back in the Championship last term, by then a key figure in the side handed the captain’s armband on several occasions.
Having left Vicarage Road for Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, João Pedro has continued to shine in the spotlight, scoring against Luton once again on the first day of the 2023/24 season, and notching twice on his Europa League debut against AEK Athens.
