Rocco Vata, born 18 April 2005, is a Scottish footballer currently putting in his shifts as a forward— particularly as a right winger— for Watford. Despite being relatively small in stature at 5ft 8in (1.75m) and 10st 5lb (66kg), Vata has shown an ability to compete at a high level. Whilst making a name for himself at Watford, proudly wearing the number 11 jersey, Vata has also secured international recognition, having earned caps with the Republic of Ireland's national team.
As of now, his market value stands at approximately £290k, according to Transfermarkt. He's proving himself to be a valuable asset for Watford, with his contract, spanning 3 years and 2 months, slated to terminate on 30 June 2028.
Vata's journey into professional football began with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership—a club famed for its reputable youth academy. He signed with Celtic as a trainee in July 2012 before breaking into the first team in the 2022-2023 season. Characteristically modest beginnings, Vata was given four opportunities to play in the league, laying down the foundation of his career. The 2023-2024 season saw him get only one league appearance, however.
In July 2024, his journey took a different direction. Vata swapped the green and white of Celtic for the yellow of Watford, a club in England's Championship, for a fee rumoured to be in the region of £200k. Since moving, he has made significant strides, racking up 33 league appearances and scoring three times in the present 2024-2025 season.
Vata's performance for Watford isn't limited to the league but extends to notable cup competitions too. He's chipped in with a goal in the FA Cup 2024-2025 after been chosen to start, and shown his readiness to step up in the League Cup where he started once and was called upon as a substitute twice. Additionally, he's also earned an international cap after featuring as a substitute in the Nations League 2024-2025 for the Republic of Ireland.
