Villarreal snap up Capoue after five years at Watford

FORMER France midfielder Etienne Capoue has left Watford to join Spanish side Villarreal for an undisclosed fee.

The 32-year-old, who joined the Hornets from Tottenham for a then club-record transfer fee in 2015, has agreed a contract until June 2023 with the LaLiga club.

He made 181 appearances for Watford, including 11 this term in the Sky Bet Championship following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, and scofred 14 times.

“The Hornets thank Etienne for his efforts over the past five-and-ahalf years and wish him well for the future,” read a statement on Watford’s website.

Capoue, who won the last of his seven international caps seven years ago, began his career with French club Toulouse before moving to England to join Spurs in 2013.

He was named Watford’s player of the season for the 2018-19 campaign, having helped the club reach the FA Cup final and finish 11th in the top flight.

QPR have strongly condemned the “abhorrent” online abuse aimed at forward Bright Osayi-Samuel following Tuesday’s game with Norwich.

Osayi-Samuel, 22, highlighted the abuse on his Instagram account, saying: “It is disgusting and painful to be receiving messages like this.”

Some of the abuse revealed by Osayi-Samuel was racist in nature while other messages wished him ill and even death.

Osayi-Samuel scored a late penalty equaliser and then missed another chance in the 1-1 draw at Carrow Road in the Sky Bet Championship.

QPR chief executive Lee Hoos said: “We completely deplore the abhorrent abuse Bright has been subjected to.

“It astounds me that people feel they can freely post such comments without any fear of reprisal.

“We are working with Instagram and asking them to assist us in identifying the individual concerned.”

»