Watford have confirmed the signing of Brazilian central defender Samir from Udinese, who becomes the Hornets second January signing.
The 27-year-old has signed a deal until June 2025 and follows the arrival of Hassane Kamara from Nice.
Samir started his career at hometown club Flamengo in Rio before moving to Italy during January 2016.
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The Brazilian, called up to the senior national team for the first time in 2019, made 147 appearances for Udinese.
A club statement read: “Watford FC is pleased to announce the signing of Brazilian central defender Samir from Udinese on a deal until June 2025.
“The 27-year-old is the Hornets’ second arrival of the window, bringing a wealth of experience to Vicarage Road having made close to 150 appearances in the Italian top flight.”
It's official.
Samir is a Hornet! pic.twitter.com/ZUiLrYdgru
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 6, 2022
The addition of Samir, who is left-footed, will provide more defensive cover for Hornets boss Claudio Ranieri as he aims to keep the club in the Premier League.
Watford currently sit 17th in the Premier League table, two points clear of the relegation zone, but have played a match more than third-bottom Burnley.
The Hornets have lost six straight games since beating Manchester United and travel to Ranieri’s former club Leicester on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup.
Elsewhere, two Premier League clubs are competing to sign Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho, “with a decision expected to be made on Friday”, according to reports.
Coutinho left Liverpool in 2018 after Barcelona agreed a £105m deal rising to £140m with potential add-ons to take the Brazilian to the Camp Nou.
The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to England and the player is reportedly keen on joining an ambitious Premier League side.
He has been heavily linked with Arsenal, Newcastle, and most recently, Aston Villa.
And according to Sky Sports, Coutinho is being targeted by two Premier League clubs with a decision on his future “expected to be made on Friday afternoon”.
The report adds that at one point six English clubs were eyeing up a move for the Brazilian, with only two “serious contenders” left fighting it out for the player’s signature.
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