Exciting young striker Dapo Mebude is looking forward to starting the next stage of his career at Vicarage Road.
Mebude signed for Watford following a difficult decision to leave Scottish champions Rangers after nine years, and explained that a number of factors sealed the switch to the Hornets.
“It’s a massive club, I’ve watched them in the Premier League for a few years,” said Mebude. “I’ve been a fan of the Premier League and watched players like Troy Deeney, and Odion Ighalo who is a countryman of mine, so there are a lot of things that attracted me.”
Mebude looks to learn from others at the club and incorporate aspects of their game into his own style, all while ensuring he remains his own player.
“I like to take bits from different players’ games,” he said. “Obviously I want to be myself but I take parts from Raheem Sterling, Ronaldo [Nazário]...but I want to be myself and hopefully one day people can look up to me and say they want to be like me.
“I think it’s important I bring what I can do to the table first and foremost, and then every single day I’m going to be learning and taking as much as I can from the likes of Troy Deeney, [Ismaïla] Sarr, Andre Gray, because they’re top players and I want to get to that level.
“I don’t want to change what I was brought in for but I’m going to learn every single day and take as much as possible and add it to my game as well.”
A quick and technical forward, Mebude wants to entertain fans whenever he plays with his ability to beat a defender.
“I like to get in behind, I like to score goals, create chances and beat my man 1v1. I play to excite the fans,” he said.
“I’m comfortable at left wing or striker. Anywhere across the front line I like to express myself and I’ll work for the team. I’m not too fussed about where I’m going to play across the front but I’m just excited to get going, playing and seeing what I can do.”
Mebude will quickly get to know his new teammates but, having played youth international football with Scotland, his Tartan Army teammate Sonny Blu Lo-Everton will already be a familiar face around the training ground.
“I know Sonny well, but I’ve not spoken to him [about the move] because I had to keep this a bit underground!” said Mebude. “I can’t wait to speak to him and see him again. I saw him at a couple of Scotland camps and I’m sure he’ll welcome me and introduce me to the squad.”
