KENYAN MIDFIELDER HENRY Ochieng has made the switch back across the Irish Sea, joining Watford FC after a season with Cork City.

The 22-year-old returns to English football, linking up with the Hornets’ U23 side.

A statement from Watford reads:

“Watford FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Under-23 midfielder Henry Ochieng.

“Having spent time at West Ham and Leyton Orient’s academies, Ochieng made his senior debut for the O’s in November 2016.

“The 22-year-old has since featured for Braintree Town, Welwyn Garden City, Wingate & Finchley and was most recently with Cork City in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

“Ochieng, who is capped by Kenya Under-23s, has signed until the end of the season.”

Ochieng was a shining light on Leeside through a disappointing season for the club, in which they were relegated to the SSE Airtricity League First Division.

Delighted to have signed for @WatfordFC looking forward to the new journey ahead⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/HWXdM0lt2G

— Henry Ochieng (@HenryOchieng_) January 25, 2021

Prior to joining Cork, he lined out for Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier Division, and also worked under former City manager Neale Fenn at Leyton Orient through his academy years — another stint spent at West Ham.

Kenyan U23 Ochieng was also selected in the country’s senior squad for a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone in November 2018, but the match was cancelled.

“Delighted to have signed for @WatfordFC. Looking forward to the new journey ahead,” he wrote on Twitter this afternoon, having bid farewell to Cork just beforehand.

He noted: “Thank you to everyone @CorkCityFC for my season there. Met some amazing people and I’m grateful to have played for such a prestigious club. Wish you all the best for the years to come.”

Thank you to everyone @CorkCityFC for my season there. Met some amazing people and I’m grateful to have played for such a prestigious club. Wish you all the best for the years to come 🔴🟢 #CCFC84 👊🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/vb5xB8gkVL

— Henry Ochieng (@HenryOchieng_) January 25, 2021