Watford are on the verge of signing young Cameroonian defender, Christopher Keben, from French Ligue 1 side Toulouse. According to the Watford Observer, Keben is expected to undergo his medical at London Colney in the coming days, with the transfer expected to be officially confirmed by the end of the week.
Keben, who moved to France at the age of two, began his football journey at the regional Toulouse Montaudran team before joining Toulouse's academy at the age of ten. He progressed through the ranks, featuring for their Under-19s in the 2019/20 season before making his senior debut in the French Cup against Aubagne in 2020 at the age of 18.
The defender spent the 2021/22 season with Toulouse's B team, making 11 appearances, all as a starter. The following season, he split his time between the first team and the B side, making 11 appearances in Ligue 1, including four starts and seven substitute appearances. He also started eight games for the B team, captaining the side on one occasion.
In total, Keben has played 23 first-team games for Toulouse, 19 of which were in the league. He has also represented Cameroon at the Under-23 level, featuring in two qualifiers for the 2023 Under-23 African Cup of Nations.
Despite his youth, Keben is seen as a player who can make an immediate impact on the Watford first team, unlike fellow loanee defender Antonio Tikvic who is considered more of a long-term prospect.
This move represents a significant boost for Watford as they aim to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new season. The arrival of a young, promising defender like Keben could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the Hornets.
