Ex-Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday free agent 'training' with Championship academy team

Former Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham is reportedly training with Championship side Watford as he remains without a club.

The 31-year-old left Championship outfit Cardiff City in the summer of 2023 and spent a number of months as a free agent before being signed by Charlton Athletic in March 2024 on a deal until the end of the season. He was released by the League One club upon the expiration of his contract, and has yet to find a new club. After joining Charlton, Wickham said: “When I got the option to come here, I wasn’t worried about my ability, even though I had been out of the game for a little while. I was never concerned about where I would be when I went back, because I like to keep myself in good condition. It’s just a case of getting back on the training pitch and perfecting them again.”

The striker made four appearances for Charlton during his short time at the Valley, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

Wickham training with Watford

According to Andrew French of the Watford Observer, Wickham has been training with Watford’s academy side as he continues his search for a new club. He scored a hat-trick for the club’s Under-21s but as of yet there is not a suggestion he will sign for the Hornets’ senior side.

Watford are 10th in the Championship, with 42 points from their 31 games so far. They are just three points off the play-offs and have netted 42 goals but conceded 44. They are one of two sides with a negative goal difference in the top half. Wickham is still aged 31 and will at least have the opportunity to continue to impress at Vicarage Road as he seeks to end his period without a club.

Wickham career to date

The forward started his career with Ipswich Town before moving to Sunderland in 2011. He had two loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday during his time in the north east while also heading to Leeds United on a short loan. He moved to Crystal Palace in 2015 and stayed at Selhurst Park until 2021. He did have a third loan spell at the Owls when he was with the Eagles.

He has moved around a number of clubs since departing Selhurst Park, turning out for Preston North End, Milton Keynes Dons, Forest Green Rovers, Cardiff City and Charlton. For Palace, he scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 50 games. He played 72 times for Ipswich, scoring 15 times while he also netted 15 times for Sunderland, while playing 91 times for the Black Cats. In the Premier League, he has made 120 appearances with 19 goals while he has 113 Championship games under belt, along with 25 goals.

In other news, former Watford midfielder John Eustace has revealed he has been the subject of an official approach from Derby County over their managerial vacancy.