Official: Farewell King Ken

Watford FC will be saying goodbye to one of the club’s longest-serving players after Ken Sema’s contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

“King Ken” departs the Hornets having made 176 appearances for the club over six seasons, scoring 12 times.

Always an immaculate professional, the Swedish international became a huge fans’ favourite at The Vic for his tireless and hard-working displays on the left, with his versatility allowing him to shine wherever he was deployed.

He was a big part of the side which gained promotion from the Championship in 2020/21, scoring five goals and notching five assists as the Golden Boys returned to the Premier League.

Sema first joined Watford from Allsvenskan outfit Östersunds FK in July 2018, having come through the ranks at hometown club IFK Norrköping.

He had racked up 84 appearances during two-and-a-half years with the Swedish top-flight side, memorably scoring an impressive winning goal in a 2-1 victory at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

He made his Hornets debut in the Premier League against Brighton and scored his first goal for the club in a 3-3 draw against AFC Bournemouth in January 2019.

Following this, Sema spent the 2019/20 season on loan in Serie A with Udinese.

After helping the Hornets back to the Premier League in the COVID-hit season of 2020/21, Sema made 18 appearances in the top-flight campaign which followed.

Back in the second-tier for 2022/23, the winger produced some of his best form as he scored five goals and bagged eight assists in 40 league games, always impressing with his passing, dribbling and defensive work.

His displays included a memorable double in the 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion in February 2023.

Sema made a further 32 appearances throughout the 2023/24 season, scoring the all-important late winner away at Swansea City that October to earn Watford their first win on the road in almost 11 months.

In 2024/25 the 31-year-old played 17 times, last featuring in the 2-2 draw away at Plymouth Argyle in November.

Internationally, Sema was included in Sweden’s squad at Euro 2020, while he also represented his nation’s Under-23s at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

He appeared for his country as recently as November, in the 6-0 UEFA Nations League win over Azerbaijan.

Best of luck and thank you for everything, Ken!