Watford have had a bid accepted from Premier League rivals Sunderland for defender Younes Kaboul.
The defender told the Black Cats that he was wanting to leave the club this summer, and he looks set to be another addition to the Hornets’ newly-formed squad.
Newly appointed Sunderland manager David Moyes has given permission for the centre-back to move on with his career.
Defender wanted to leave for personal reasons
The 30-year-old, who joined Sunderland from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, said that he wanted to leave the Black Cats “for personal reasons”.
Last season he was part of the formidable defensive duo, with Ivory Coast international Lamine Kone, that kept the Black Cats in the Premier League under former manager Sam Allardyce.
“Sunderland can confirm that it has accepted a bid from Watford for Younes Kaboul,” a club statement read.
“Younes had spoken with David Moyes in recent days, expressing his desire to leave the club for personal reasons.”
The Black Cats accepted a request from Kaboul’s representatives to be allowed to talk to the Hornets about a move to Vicarage Road.
Not an easy situation for Kaboul
Sunderland also confirmed in the statement that an agreement had been made between the two clubs, and the former France international also released a statement.
He put into words about his desire to leave the Black Cats and move elsewhere, that club now being Watford, and he also praised the way they have handled the situation.
Kaboul said: “This is not an easy situation for me, but the club and the manager have shown an understanding of my personal circumstances and I am grateful for that.”
The defender said hat the fans at the Stadium of Light have supported him “fantastically well” since he arrived at the club and he hopes they understand the “difficult decision” he has made.