Watford have signed Manchester City defender Stephen Mfuni on loan for the rest of the season.
The 17-year-old made his senior debut for City as a second-half substitute in their 10-1 FA Cup win against Exeter City.
He is Watford’s second signing of the January transfer window following former Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove.
“Stephen is a player City rate highly. They consider carefully where they send their top talent and they were happy to send him to us because of the way we helped develop Max Alleyne,” said Watford’s assistant sporting director Valon Behrami.
“He carries the ball well out of defence, is quick and can play centre-back and left-back. We are excited to have him with us.”
England under-21 defender Alleyne was recalled from a season-long loan at Vicarage Road at the beginning of the month, and the Hornets have failed to win in four matches since his departure, having previously been on a four-game winning run.
Mfuni won the FA Youth Cup with City in 2024 and signed his first professional contract with the club in August.
The left-footed defender will turn 18 on 12 February and is an England under-19 international who played in the European Championships last summer.
Watford are eighth in the Championship, just a point outside the play-off places.