Boreham Wood Football Club have secured the signing of Watford’s highly-rated young forward Michael Folivi, on a long-term loan.
A Premier League debutant at just 18-years-old, Folivi played his first game for the Hornets against league rivals Stoke City.
Described as a ‘tricky goalscorer’, the 5ft 11in forward will add further quality and depth to Luke Garrard’s squad in the race for the playoffs.
The 19-year-old is the second Premier League forward to sign for the Wood in January, with Garrard also adding AFC Bournemouth’s Joe Quigley to his ranks.
Having been in the stands for the Wood’s match against Leyton Orient, Folivi admitted his delight at the football on display: “I am very pleased. For me, any sort of men’s football right now is perfect.
“I will be honest, before coming down to Boreham Wood, I didn’t really have the best of ideas of what National League football was really like.
“But being around training, and watching the match against Leyton Orient, I am impressed on how high the level is. I wasn’t expecting it to be as high a quality as it is, so I know I am coming into a good side.
“Going forward, Watford thought that it was best for me to get out and play first team football, and speaking to the gaffer, I thought that this was the best option for me, it is what I need.”
On what he can bring to the side, Folivi explained: “I am a tricky player in the final third, I am a player who likes to play on the shoulder and get in behind.
“One thing I have learnt is that the league is physical, which is not my game, and that is why I am here, to work on that.
“The flip side to that is to get down the channels and use my pace in behind to get some goals.”
The striker is known for his goalscoring prowess, and was the Hornets’ top scorer for the title winning Under-18s in 2015/16.
He signed pro terms with Watford at just 16-years-old, in February 2015. He has since signed an extension to that deal, with Watford securing his services until 2020.
The 19-year-old spent a period on loan with then League One outfit Coventry City, at the beginning of 2017, making his debut against Scunthorpe United.
Highly rated by the Watford hierarchy, Folivi has been described as a player with the ability to win a game on his own.
A ‘fox in the box type of striker, with quick feet’, Folivi will be hoping to make a big impression on the National League.
On the high-profile signing, Luke Garrard said: “I am ecstatic that we have got him done and I am thankful to Andy Scott, Chris McGuane and Watford. And, my Chairman, for the relationship that he has with the people higher up in the hierarchy at Watford.
“To get the calibre of him over the line is very pleasing, he was on the bench prior to Christmas for Watford in the Prem, so that is no mean feat.
“He brings pace, he has got great movement and an eye for goal. He comes into a side who create chances, so he is going to get opportunities and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
“The firepower that we have now got; I feel that defensively we look strong, we have brought Alex Davey, Joe Quigley and Michael Folivi in the past week, I think that shows intent.
“I think that shows that the Chairman is backing me and believing in what I do, so I have to give him the upmost respect for that.”
