The Nigerian defender, William Troost-Ekong, had bid farewell to Watford ahead of his transfer to Serie A club, Salernitana.

Troost-Ekong will join Salernitana this week after the modest club struck a deal with the Hornets for his transfer.

The 29-year-old spent three years at the London club, making 64 league appearances and scoring twice.

The Super Eagles vice captain penned an emotional farewell to his former teammates, coaches, and supporters via social media on Monday night.

“The moment has come for me to move on from @WatfordFC after 3 special seasons shared with everyone involved. "From everyone at the restaurant, to the security workers and volunteers at the stadium, to the medical and office staff, and all the rest, you have made my time what it was,” Troost-Ekong wrote on his Twitter handle.

“To the coaches and most of all my teammates, I can only say thank you!"

“The Pozzo family for believing in me and the important 5 years of my career at both clubs, with the highlight being the promotion and a chance to achieve my boyhood dream of playing in the Premier League."

“To all the fans, thank you for your support. It has been special going from watching as a boy to stepping on the pitch as a player. As now a fan again I wish for promotion just as much as all of you and will be back watching from the stands in the future.”

The center-back is returning to Italy after his previous stint with Udinese.

He was at Udinese for two years before joining Wafford in 2020.

Troost-Ekong played a key role in the Hornets' promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the club.

The defender lost his place last season after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January with the club relegated to the Sky Bet Championship.

The former Bursaspor player made 16 league appearances for Watford this season.