Cristian Battocchio

Cristian Battocchio is a central midfielder for Watford. He was born on 10 February 1992 in Rosario, Argentina.

Cristian’s youth career started in the 2000s. His first club was Argentine Newell’s Old Boys where the young playmaker studied until 2009. Battocchio was one of the best students of the club’s youth academy and appeared in practically every match of the Argentine youth championships during that time. In 2009 Cristian was scouted by Italian Serie A Udinese Calcio. After an exhibition match, Udinese youth agents informed the club management that the young midfielder could become a real asset to the team. The clubs quickly agreed on the transfer terms and in 2009 Battocchio officially joined Udinese. During 2 years Cristian studied hard at Bianconeri football academy to earn for himself a right to be included in the first team starting lineup.

In 2011 Cristian became one of the main contenders for the inclusion in Udinese starting lineup and in the summer of that same year he signed his first professional contract with Udinese. The head coach started putting Cristian in the starting lineup and even allowed him to play a few matches of the UEFA Europa League.

In the season 2012/2013 Cristian played with the English side Watford on loan and signed a permanent deal at the end of the season.

In 2011 Cristian was capped 3 times for Italy U-20.