Done Deals: Obafemi to Blackpool, two full-backs to Reading & Darcy back to Crawley – plus LouOrns on Watford's big gamble
Every day from Tuesday to Saturday, NTT20.COM writes-up and rates every single signing in the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Contributors include: Ali Maxwell, George Elek, Sam Parry, Huw Davies, Riley Roberts, Matt Watts, Craig Bradley, Gab Sutton and Luke “LouOrns” McKenzie.
Let’s kick off with LouOrns on Watford’s “Premier League-calibre” midfielder, featuring Mourinho, miracles and a near-death experience…
🟠 Edoardo Bove (MF) - [Roma - Watford] - Undisclosed
Edoardo Bove is back in football, following his cardiac arrest in a Serie A fixture against Inter on 1st December, 2024. The rules in Italy don’t allow footballers to play with a defibrillator, so Watford got in contact with Bove’s advisers to see if a move could take place, according to sporting director Valon Behrami. Fast-forward to now and the midfielder is signing a five-and-a-half-year contract with the club, having not played a minute in the whole of 2025.
Javi Gracia has trusted only Imran Louza and Hector Kyprianou to play in the deeper midfield roles. Nampalys Mendy has played just 46 league minutes under the Spaniard, and Moussa Sissoko is used sparingly in a wide midfield role. Behrami called Bove “a dream signing” and his acquisition a “miracle” due to the 23-year-old being, in his words, "a Premier League-calibre player”, but crucially he also fixes a squad need.
Jose Mourinho nicknamed Bove “sick dog” due to his work rate and stamina on the pitch. He’s a small, ratty player. Yet he is also quick with his passing – very much a two-touch player in that regard – and Max Alleyne’s return to Manchester City means that anyone who can pass the ball quickly into central areas is a welcome addition for Watford.
We can’t know for certain if the Italian’s levels are the same, after what happened that day in December ’24. But a midfield pairing of Imran Louza and Edoardo Bove in the Championship does get the juices flowing, even if it will take some time for us to see it.
🟠 Luke Chambers (LB/CB) - [Liverpool - Charlton] - Loan
Charlton fans, rejoice. You’ve signed a new left-sided defender! With Tyreece Campbell having to fill in at left wing-back due to Josh Edwards missing a “catastrophic” amount of football (Nathan Jones’ words) and Jérôme Roussillon just… missing, Chambers’ arrival is timely. There is a catch, however: the Liverpool youngster has recently recovered from his own long-term injury.
Chambers, 21, has previously impressed on loan at Kilmarnock and Wigan. He’s technically good, very composed in possession, and keen to get forward. He isn’t as comfortable going the other way, and can be found wanting in physical duels. Due to his recent injury and lack of game time, it’s hard to imagine him playing week in, week out, but if he can stay fit then Chambers should be a useful addition for the Addicks.
