Fernando Forestieri

Number 41

D.O.B.

15.01.90

Birthplace

Rosario, Argentina

Height

5'8

Nickname

'Fessi'

Position

Striker

Signed

August 2012 on loan

Fee

Free Transfer

Former Clubs

Newell's Old Boys, Boca Juniors, Genoa, Siena (Loan), Vicenza (Loan), Udinese, Malaga (Loan), Empoli (Loan) & Bari (Loan).

International

Italy U17, U19, U20 & U21

Pen Pic

Former Udinese forward Fernando Forestieri became the first of the 12 Pozzo-owned loanees to join Watford permanently on January 14 2013.

The 22 year-old attacker signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Hornets after impressing during an initial loan spell.

Forestieri began his career with the famous Argentine club Newell's Old Boys before moving to the Boca Juniors youth setup at just 13 years of age for a fee of $50,000.

In 2007, Forestieri made his professional debut for Genoa, scoring on his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Pescara.

It was to be 'Fessi's' only goal and appearance for Genoa before subsequent loan spells to Serie 'A' outfit Siena and Serie 'B' side Vicenza.

After notching six goals in 38 games out on-loan, the 5'7 forward moved to Udinese in 2009 and was immediately loaned out once more, this time joining La Liga outfit Malaga.

Forestieri spent the 2009-10 season at la Rosaleda, scoring once from just five starts with the Spanish outfit.

Next up was a loan move back to Serie 'B' side Empoli, with three goals from 17 starts preceding another loan move to Bari, where the Italian youth international bagged two from 23 league starts.

Despite being born in the Rosario region of Argentina, Forestieri has won 26 Italian youth caps across the U17, U19, U20 and U21 age-groups, scoring nine goals for his adopted nation.

An instant hit with the Hornets supporters after a precise finish at Huddersfield Town in September during a memorable comeback and virtuoso display, Forestieri has proved something of a pantomime villain with opposing fans.

A red card against Charlton Athletic in the following game was the fourth of his short career which has brought him 20 yellow cards - three more bookings than he's scored goals to this point.

He is, though, undoubtedly a fine talent, the likes of which we would not have had the pleasure of enjoying in a Watford shirt without the tie-up with Udinese and Granada.

Contracted until June 30 2018