Udinese is delighted to confirm that Christian Kabasele has joined the club, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the team’s rearguard ahead of the new season.
The Belgian joins from Watford in a permanent deal, having put pen to paper on a contract that runs until 30 June 2025.
The defender can call upon his international experience along with his physicality and technical qualities in order to bolster Andrea Sottil’s side’s defence.
Born in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 24 February 1991, Kabasele moved to Belgium at a young age, where he started out in the youth ranks at Eupen. He turned professional there and made his debut at the age of 17, before moving to Mechelen on loan in January 2011.
During the 2011/12 campaign, Kabasele made the move to Bulgarian side Ludogorets, where he scored no fewer than six goals in 15 domestic games, as the team stormed to league and cup success.
In summer 2014, the defender headed back to Belgium to play for Genk, where he netted two goals in 34 league games in his maiden campaign. His performances over the course of the following season earnt him a move to Premier League outfit Watford, where he scored three times in 18 games in the league and domestic cups.
In 2017/18, he scored twice in 31 Premier League appearances as he established himself in the division.
Watford went on to reach the FA Cup final in 2019, with the defender featuring 23 times, while he made 31 appearances the following season as the Hornets were relegated. In the Championship in 2020/21, he played 20 times, helping the club bounce straight back up to the top flight.
In the Premier League in 2021/22, Kabasele made 16 appearances and also featured once in the League Cup.
In 2022/23 in the Championship, he scored one goal in 25 run-outs, leaving his total appearance tally at 166 with seven goals to his name over seven seasons in England.
Kabasele has one Belgium U18 cap, one U20 cap, one U21 cap and ten U19 caps including five goals. He has two senior caps to his name, making his Belgium bow on 9 November in a 1-1 stalemate against Netherlands in which he played the entirety of the friendly.
Christian is now ready to throw himself into his new challenge with Udinese.
Wishing Christian a very warm welcome!