Watford announce £16.2m loss for 2024-25 after £12.8m profit a year earlier

Watford did make a £15.8m profit on player recruitment and departures, down from £29.3m in 2023-24, with Colombia international Yaser Asprilla, striker Vakoun Bayo and Dutch defender Wesley Hoedt among those leaving for undisclosed fees.

A strategic report by chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “The club’s goal is to operate in a financially sustainable way and achieve the best results possible while in the championship, with the ultimate goal of getting promoted back to the Premier League.

“The shareholders are committed to invest in the club to support the goal and realise this ambition.

“The club continues to enhance its value and performance on and off the pitch by investing in upgrades for both the stadium in order to increase capacities in both hospitality and general seating areas.”

Watford are still in with a chance of a play-off place this season under boss Ed Still, their third of the season, who was appointed following the departure of Javi Gracia in February.

They are in ninth place, seven points outside the top six, with seven matches to play, the next away to Queens Park Rangers on Friday 3 April.