Official: Bachmann Signs New Contract & Confirmed As Club Captain

Watford FC is delighted to confirm that Daniel Bachmann has signed a new five-year contract with the Hornets, running until the summer of 2028, while Valérien Ismaël has appointed the Austrian goalkeeper as the new Club Captain ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Bachmann, 29, is the longest-serving member of the current first-team squad, having joined from Stoke City back in July 2017, and he has so-far tallied up 86 appearances for the Golden Boys since making his debut against Tranmere Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup in January 2020.

A productive loan spell at Scottish outfit Kilmarnock preceded that maiden outing, and having initially served as back-up stopper upon his return, Bachmann was awarded a first league start in January 2021 when Ben Foster was injured.

He kept the shirt from thereon that season thanks to his impressive performances, and 13 clean sheets in 23 games duly guided Watford to promotion to the Premier League. Bachmann and Foster kept 23 shutouts between them during 2020/21 - the second-most managed by the club in a Football League campaign.

After featuring on 12 occasions in the top-flight the following year, Bachmann firmly established himself as first choice between the sticks ahead of 2022/23, going on to miss just one of 46 Sky Bet Championship games.

Besides his domestic exploits, Bachmann is well versed on the international scene too. He won the first of 13 Austria caps against England in June 2021, went on to feature at Euro 2020 and last linked up with Ralf Rangnick’s squad earlier this summer.

Now back in Hertfordshire, and finalising his preparations for the opening-day visit of Queens Park Rangers next weekend (Saturday August 5, 3pm KO), Bachmann is aiming to guide the Hornets back to the Premier League as skipper.

He takes over the role from Tom Cleverley, who retired at the end of last season and has since joined the Academy coaching staff.

Head Coach Ismaël said: “It’s a clear commitment from Dan to the club and, for me, he is the obvious choice for captain of the squad.

“He’s the longest-serving player here and he will be very important as a leader who understands not just English football but the Championship specifically.

“I believe he knows it is his time to take this responsibility and I am sure he will step up to the challenge with the support of the player leadership group.”

As part of his appointment of Bachmann as captain, Ismaël has confirmed the leadership group for 2023/24, made up of the following players:

-     Daniel Bachmann (Club Captain)
-     Ben Hamer
-     Wesley Hoedt
-     Jake Livermore
-     Imrân Louza
-     Ken Sema

Ismaël added: “It’s very important that we have a link between the staff and the team.

“The leadership group have a big responsibility to set the standards of behaviour around the club, not just on the field but off it as well.

“They will be our biggest ambassadors in the community, followed by everyone else in the squad, because we have to make a close connection with all our supporters if we want to be successful.”

Congratulations, Dan!