Inter Milan wing-back Ashley Young admits he ‘would walk from Italy’ to wear the Watford shirt again.
Young came through the youth academy at Watford before making his first-team debut in September 2003.
Currently on the books of Inter Milan, the experienced 35-year-old Englishman is one of Antonio Conte’s favorites.
Since joining the Nerazzurri from Manchester United back in January, Young has been gaining plaudits for his performances in Serie A week in, week out.
But, despite his success at Old Trafford highlighting his career, Watford still has a special place in the wing-back’s heart.
“If I could go back and play [at Watford] again, I would walk from Italy right now because it’s what I know,” he told Watford’s official podcast Golden Tales.
“It’s where I come from, and it’s what allowed me to be who I am and get where I am.
“It gave me a humble beginning.”
Young was part of the Watford team that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2006. He, however, left the club to link up with Aston Villa only the following year.
There was no shortage of suitors for the highly-rated winger back then, and the player confirms he could’ve taken a different path given the interest from several clubs.
“There was interest from West Ham at the time, there was interest from Aston Villa, there was talk of Tottenham,” he continued.
“My agent coming to tell me about the interest, as a youngster you’re like: ‘Wow, that’s amazing to hear of teams of that stature wanting to talk to you.’
“But on the other hand, it was: ‘No, Watford is my club, I don’t want to leave. I’ve just got promotion with a club I started when I was 10, I’m not ready to leave.’
“I know I’m an ambitious person, I know the Premier League is where I was going, bigger clubs, of course, but it’s not where I wanted to go.
“I loved everything about the club. To this day, I love everything about the club. It’s what I say is home for me.”
Watford are currently competing in the Championship after suffering relegation from the Premier League last season.
But, that doesn’t seem to bother Young, who wants to have one last dance at Vicarage Road.
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