Watford have announced the departure of summer signing Rey Manaj. 

The Hornets have released the striker from his contract by mutual consent having struggled to become a regular in the first team at Vicarage Road.

The 25-year-old Albanian agreed a three-year deal when he arrived last summer for an undisclosed fee, but was seemingly deemed surplus to requirements.

He has only made seven appearances and scored once in a 1-1 draw away to Birmingham City early in the season.

Injury hasn't helped the Barcelona academy graduate, with Manaj sustaining his first hamstring injury half an hour into the home defeat at the hands of QPR on August 27.

He didn’t feature again until the first game back after the World Cup break, when Watford drew 0-0 with Hull. The striker replaced Joseph Hungbo in the 71st minute, missed a gilt-edged chance to score, and then picked up another hamstring injury and limped off in the 89th minute.

That turned out to be Manaj’s last outing in Watford colours, and he now leaves the club after just six months.

This comes after Watford announced their squad list for the second half of the season, with Manaj more than likely missing out being included which probably prompted his departure.

Kortney Hause also missed out on a place in the 25-man squad but will remain with the Hornets for the season, with Watford unable to terminate his loan according to the Watford Observer.

The Verdict

Manaj's departure casts more negative light on what was a poor summer transfer window.

Hause is another player who arrived at the club in the summer, along with Vakoun Bayo who also departed in January.

With Ben Manga arriving prior to the January transfer window, it seems he's stamping his authority on the playing squad already considering the mass of signings throughout the winter window.