Key Points
- Current Status: Former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio is currently training with Championship side Watford ahead of their upcoming league campaign.
- Severe Injury Recovery: The 36-year-old suffered a broken leg in a car accident on 7 December 2024, four days after his final appearance for West Ham in a 3–1 loss against Leicester City.
- Rehabilitation Period: Following his release from London Stadium in June 2025 after a 10-year stint, Antonio built up his fitness with West Ham’s Under-21 side in Premier League 2.
- Previous Training Spells: The veteran forward trained with Leicester City in December 2025 and came close to joining Brentford before a torn calf muscle halted the move.
- Recent Stint in Qatar: Antonio last featured competitively in April 2026 for Qatari outfit Al-Sailiya, making four total appearances for the club.
- EFL Pedigree: Prior to joining West Ham in September 2015, the Jamaican international possessed vast English Football League experience across Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest.
Watford (East London Times) August 12, 2026 – Former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has linked up with Championship outfit Watford to take part in first-team training sessions as the Hornets finalise their preparations for the new domestic campaign.As reported across domestic football channels, the 36-year-old forward has been granted permission to join Tom Cleverley’s squad at their London Colney training ground to maintain sharp physical conditioning while evaluating his professional options. Antonio arrives in Hertfordshire aiming to prove his fitness following a challenging 20-month stretch plagued by severe physical setbacks and brief spells abroad.
Watford are currently evaluating their attacking depth ahead of a demanding Championship calendar. Allowing a seasoned veteran of Antonio’s pedigree to train with the squad provides both the player with elite facility access and the coaching staff with a close-up look at his current sharpness and mobility.
What Has Michail Antonio’s Recent Injury and Career Path Looked Like?
Antonio’s journey over the past two years has been defined by significant recovery hurdles following a life-altering incident. As documented in press coverage, the experienced striker made his final senior appearance for West Ham United on 3 December 2024, during a 3–1 Premier League defeat to Leicester City. Just four days later, on 7 December 2024, Antonio suffered a broken leg in a serious car crash, putting his playing career on immediate hold.
Following a prolonged rehabilitation period, West Ham United officially released the striker in June 2025 upon the expiration of his contract, concluding a memorable 10-year tenure in East London.
Demonstrating strong loyalty to their long-serving forward, West Ham permitted Antonio to utilise their training facilities throughout the summer of 2025 to complete his recovery, where he featured in two matches for the Hammers’ Under-21 side in Premier League 2.
In pursuit of a return to senior English football, Antonio subsequently spent time training with Leicester City in December 2025.
He was later on the verge of securing a contract with Premier League side Brentford; however, as reported by club journalists, the move collapsed after Antonio sustained a severe calf muscle tear just twenty-four hours before the scheduled contract signing.
Following his recovery from the muscle injury, Antonio secured a short-term move to Qatari club Al-Sailiya. His stint in the Middle East was brief, making four appearances for the club with his last competitive outing coming in April 2026 before returning to England.
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What Is the Background to Michail Antonio’s Career and Recovery?
To understand the weight of Antonio’s current trial period with Watford, it is vital to examine his historical impact across English football over the past decade and a half.
Antonio initially carved out his reputation in the English Football League (EFL) as a dynamic, powerful winger capable of playing multiple positions. After starting his journey in non-league football with Tooting & Mitcham United, he signed for Reading in 2008 before completing loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Southampton, and Colchester United.
His career momentum accelerated significantly during permanent spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, where his athletic displays caught the attention of top-flight scouts.
In September 2015, West Ham United signed Antonio from Nottingham Forest. Across ten seasons at London Stadium, he developed into one of the club’s most iconic modern figures, adapting from a utility wide player and full-back into a powerful central striker.
During his 323 competitive appearances for the Irons, Antonio scored 83 goals, becoming West Ham’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League era and playing a pivotal role in the club’s 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League triumph.
His career hit an abrupt roadblock in December 2024 following his severe car accident. The subsequent broken leg and secondary muscle injuries raised significant doubts regarding whether he would ever return to professional football at the Championship or Premier League level.
His presence at Watford’s training facility represents the latest step in a protracted journey toward proving his durability and fitness to prospective suitors in the Football League.
How Could Michail Antonio’s Arrival Impact Watford and Their Supporters?
The news of Michail Antonio training with Watford carries notable implications for the club, the playing squad, and the fanbase as the Championship season gets underway.
For Watford head coach Tom Cleverley and his technical staff, having a player of Antonio’s experience in training offers an immediate tactical standard and direct mentorship for younger forwards. Antonio’s extensive experience in holding up the ball, physical duel efficiency, and navigating high-pressure matches provides a valuable learning reference for the squad’s emerging talent.
If Antonio demonstrates full physical fitness and earns a short-term or pay-as-you-play contract, he would offer Watford an additional physical dimension in attack without requiring a transfer fee.
For Watford supporters, Antonio’s presence brings both intrigue and measured evaluation. Fans recognise his proven goalscoring track record at the highest level, yet remain mindful of his recent injury history and lack of sustained match minutes over the past 18 months.
Should his training period translate into an official deal, his addition could bolster Watford’s attacking depth for a relentless 46-game Championship schedule, provided his physical condition remains stable.
