Sept 12 (Reuters) - Watford ⁠have signed Michail Antonio on a free transfer ⁠on a one-year deal, bringing the former West ‌Ham United forward back to English football.

The 36-year-old, West Ham's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, was in a serious road accident ​in December 2024 when his ⁠car hit a tree ⁠on the way home from training. He broke his thigh ⁠bone ‌in four places and did not play for the club again.

Antonio left West Ham ⁠in August 2025 after the London club ​opted not ‌to renew his contract. They were relegated to ⁠the second-tier ​Championship after finishing 18th in the Premier League the last season.

He joined Qatari side Al-Sailiya in March, his first ⁠club since undergoing surgery following the ​accident.

"It's a good set of boys here," Antonio said in a statement on Friday. "They are focused and ready ⁠to show their abilities this season.

"Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can.

"I've scored a ​few goals against Watford! So ⁠hopefully I can score some for Watford now when ​I'm fully up to speed."

Watford are ‌12th in the Championship with ​eight points from six matches.

(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill)