Watford have captured the signing of Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga on loan from Serie A side Napoli, the club have confirmed.

The full-back will move to Vicarage Road on a one-year deal, however, the Hornets have the option to permanently sign the player once the loan is up next summer.

Zuniga is Watford’s fourth singing of the summer and will provide an attacking outlet from the wing-back position, a position which new boss Walter Mazzarri has deployed already.

The full-back has made 61 appearances for Colombia (Photo: Getty Images)
The full-back has made 61 appearances for Colombia (Photo: Getty Images)

Defender will fit into new system

The Hornets have played two pre-season friendlies so far and the boss has played the 3-5-2 formation, with two wing-backs, therefore, the 30-year-old will be a perfect match for the side.

Zuniga has been linked with a move to the Premier League side for quite some time now, and with growing speculation all summer, it was only a matter of time before the move was completed.

The Colombian international has represented his country 61 times, scoring once, and joins new signings Isaac Success, Christian Kabasele and Jerome Sinclair.

Neymar's World Cup was ended after this challenge (Photo: Getty Images)
Neymar's World Cup was ended after this challenge (Photo: Getty Images)

Zuinga joins on an initial one-year loan

Atletico Nacional, a side from his homeland, was the first club that the defender played for and he went on to make 121 appearances between 2002 and 2008.

This brought about a move to Siena that summer before he joined Napoli a year later for €8.5 million, and the full-back went on to make 125 appearances for the Italian outfit.

Four years of his seven with Napoli was spent under Watford boss Mazzari, and he won the Coppa Italia in 2012 and 2014.

And after he spent the back half of last season on loan at fellow Serie A side Bologna, Zuniga has joined the Hornets for the forthcoming season.

Zuniga will also be forever remembered for the incident that ended Neymar’s World Cup campaign in 2014 when the defender’s knee went into the Brazilian’s back.

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About the author
Andrew McDonnell
Sports writer based in the North-East of England, safe to say I have found my niche in sports writing and I strive to succeed with everything I do, including Vavel, both in the UK and USA. First official Writer of the week for the USA office too. Cover Manchester United, Watford, Cricket, MLS and NFL.