Cristian Battocchio joined Maccabi Tel Aviv on a two-year-deal with an option for a further season. The diminutive midfielder who made 20 appearances for Italy’s U-20 and U-21’s, joins Maccabi on a free transfer after spending the last two seasons in France playing for Stade Brest.

The Rosario born midfielder who began his playing career at the Youth Academy of Newll’s Old Boys, joined Italian club Udinese in 2009 at the age of 16. In 2012 Battocchio joined Watford on loan and after impressing the Hornets boss Gianfranco Zola made the move to Vicarage Road permanent in 2013.

The arrival of former Maccabi coach Slavisa Jokanovic at Watford in 2014 saw Battocchio return to Italy and join Virtus Entella on loan before switching to Brest for which he scored 8 goals in 35 appearances last season.

Over the course of the 2017/18 season, Battocchio appeared in 40 matches (24 league) and was an integral part in helping the Club advance to the group stages of the Europa League. He scored one goal before ending his campaign early due to an injury.