This summer was an end of an era, but Watford’s future is incredibly bright

So that’s it then. The chaos of the summer transfer window is over for another year and for Watford supporters, there has been the usual influx of new names to learn whilst a few familiar faces have departed.

Hornets fans will be largely satisfied with the business they’ve done, with the transfer window delivering a little bit of something for everyone.

The glamour signing was Roberto Pereyra from Juventus. The Argentinian playmaker has been brought in to fill the attacking midfield role that Watford have struggled to fill so far this season.

The stylish looking midfielder got off to a great start on his debut, with a well taken goal that capped an excellent substitute performance in the recent 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal.

For those that were hoping for a bit of added Premier League experience, the club have definitely delivered. Younes Kaboul (formerly of Tottenham and Sunderland) has joined alongside former Newcastle United wing back Daryl Janmaat, with both players giving head coach Walter Mazzarri some welcome defensive alternatives.

Supporters who like a bit of nostalgia will have been delighted to see defender Adrian Mariappa return to the club. The Academy graduate left Vicarage Road for Reading back in 2012 and has since player in the Premier League with Crystal Palace.

A stylish defender and long term friend of Troy Deeney, supporters will be pleased to see a familiar face lining up amongst the host of more unfamiliar names.

As always there was a surprise signing and this time round it was the capture of striker Stefano Okaka from Anderlecht. The big striker is capped for Italy so has plenty of experience at the top level, but there are question marks over whether he will provide adequate competition for established strikers Odion Ighalo and Deeney, whilst Isaac Success, another summer signing, has already shown enough to suggest he’ll be ahead of Okaka in the pecking order.

Summer signing, Pereyra, netted against Arsenal on his Premier League debut – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Of course it wasn’t only about arrivals, and Watford supporters have had to say goodbye to three of the players that were instrumental in getting the club promoted two seasons ago.

Striker Matej Vydra and wing back Ikechi Anya have joined Derby County, whilst the mecurial midfielder Almen Abdi has joined Sheffield Wednesday.

The departure of these players, each of them a fans favourite, marks the end of an era, but whilst there is no question they will be missed, the future looks incredibly bright for this new look Watford squad.