The former Sunderland and Leeds United striker is presently training with Championship team Watford.

Former Sunderland striker Connor Wickham is now training with Championship team Watford.

Wickham spent four years at the Stadium of Light, including loans to Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, after joining from Ipswich Town for £8 million in 2011. The price shattered Ipswich’s record for recouping transfer fees, as well as the highest for an EFL player transferring to a Premier League team at the time.

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The former England junior international scored just 15 goals in 91 Wearside games before joining Palace on a five-year contract for an unknown amount in 2015. Sources at the time claimed the sum as rising to £9 million, implying that Wickham had received almost £17 million in transfer fees during his career.

Wickham signed a short-term contract with Charlton Athletic under ex-Sunderland manager Charlie Methven in March as the Addicks sought to strengthen their attack line under Nathan Jones. The 31-year-old former Crystal Palace forward scored once in four league games before being released in May. Wickham has been a free agent ever since.

According to the Watford Observer, Wickham is now training with Championship team Watford. The player has been practicing with the club’s academy while considering his future move. Wickam scored a hat-trick in the first half of an under-21 game and will see further action for the Hornets’ young team, but there is no indication he will join. According to the report, the attacker has been “excellent” with younger players.

What has Connor Wickham lately said?

In a September interview with Sky Sports News, he revealed that he is still just 31 years old. It feels like I’ve been around forever. I still want to challenge myself to perform at a high level. I still have a few years remaining where I believe I can give that.

“I’m simply going to keep training and stay fit. I have alternatives, yet I feel compelled to test myself. I don’t want to reach the end of my career and say, ‘I wish I did this, I wish I did that’. I’m confident that sooner or later, the ideal opportunity will present itself, one that will both fit and push me.

“At some time, I’ve always wished I could have played abroad. It may have occurred several times over my career. At the time, I wasn’t really open to it. But now that I’ve gotten to where I am, it’s good to watch athletes playing overseas, as well as new cultures, fans, and life situations. I am open, yet I am prepared.”.

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