On this day three years ago, Joao Pedro celebrated his 19th birthday with a spectacular goal, scoring the victor in Watford’s first game against rival Luton Town in almost 13 years.
The Brazilian attacker committed to become a Hornet months before leaving Fluminense to join Watford in January 2020.
Joao Pedro attracted attention when he was younger for his maturity and never-ending list of objectives. Just two of the occasions that thrilled Watford supporters upon his debut were a hat-trick against Atlético Nacional and an incredible bicycle-kick goal against Cruzeiro.
Joao Pedro may have found it intimidating to travel to a foreign nation with a foreign language and culture, but during his first half-season in England, he easily assimilated into the team and made three Premier League appearances.
But he didn’t really make a name for himself in England until the Championship during the 2020–21 season.
Before September 26, 2020, Joo Pedro had not yet turned four years old when Watford last faced Luton. After connecting with a cross from Ken Sema to score the game’s lone goal, the Brazilian became the center of attention.
That was the first of nine goals he scored in 38 Championship games while assisting Watford’s immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
Before scoring 11 goals in 35 games back in the Championship last season, the birthday boy, by then a key member of the team and several times given the captaincy, scored three goals in 28 games back in the top-flight during 2021–2022, including an emotional goal in the 4–1 thrashing of Manchester United.
Joao Pedro has maintained his stellar play after joining Brighton & Hove Albion from Vicarage Road in the summer. He scored against Luton on the opening day of the 2023–24 season and scored twice on his Europa League debut against AEK Athens.
