New skipper Daniel Bachmann has already set his sights on securing promotion to the Premier League in the forthcoming 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign, after signing a new five-year contract and being handed the captaincy reins by Valérien Ismaël.
The 29-year-old, who arrived in Hertfordshire in July 2017 and is the longest-serving player at the club, has taken over the role from Tom Cleverley, who retired at the end of last season and has since taken up a coaching position within the Academy.
With 86 appearances under his belt for the Golden Boys, and 68 in the second-tier, Bachmann is looking forward to utilising his experience of recent highs and lows to spearhead the next chapter of success at Vicarage Road.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be extending my stay at Watford for another five years - and am especially proud to have been appointed club captain,” the Austria international said. “A huge number of people have helped me throughout my career - particularly since I joined Watford - and I want to thank them all.
“It is a big responsibility but one I am already embracing. The manager has shown incredible faith and trust in me - and I want to repay that. With the fans’ support, we will push hard for promotion back to the Premier League.
“I have been here since 2017 and, alongside our incredible fans, have enjoyed many highs. We have experienced a few lows along the way too, but we have always faced those together.
“Everyone at the club knows that promotion is the ambition and everyone at the club has their part to play.”
Besides appointing Bachmann as captain, Head Coach Ismaël has confirmed a new leadership group - also including Ben Hamer, Wesley Hoedt, Jake Livermore, Imrân Louza and Ken Sema - ahead of next weekend’s season-opener at home to Queens Park Rangers (Saturday August 5, 3pm KO).
And while goalkeeper Bachmann is clear that every player has an important part to play in the dressing room going forward, he also pointed towards the upcoming visit of QPR, when he can’t wait to be back out on the field in front of the Hornets’ faithful.
He added: “The other senior players - and every player at the club - will be very important voices in the changing room, of course.
“Days like these are obviously very special for me and my family, and I can’t wait to see everyone at The Vic next Saturday for our first home game. We’ll be ready.”
