Luigi Gaspar, the son of former Arsenal midfielder and current technical director Edu, has extended his contract with Watford.

Upon his return to Arsenal, Edu Gaspar brought his son Luigi with him to the club’s academy, but the youngster made the move across the fence at London Colney to join Watford on a free transfer last summer.

At the time, Luigi signed a two-year deal with an option to extend for a further year. Watford have now announced that they’ve activated that option.

As a result, Luigi is now under contract with Watford until 2025.

The midfielder spent the 2022/23 campaign playing for the Watford u21s, and he’ll hope to eventually progress through to the first team. Watford currently play their football in the Championship.

“Very happy to sign my contract extension with Watford!” Luigi wrote on Instagram. “I hope that this season things go the way we hope individually and collectively…

“Thank you, Watford, all the club staff, and especially Jamie (Watford physio) for the support given in this difficult period of injuries, surgeries and for all this time off the pitch.

“Also to [physio Caio Mello] who has been staying with me days and nights at home so I could get back asap! And obviously family and friends for always being by my side giving me strength every day.”

Unfortunately, the story of the teenager’s spell with Arsenal was also undercut by injuries.

After playing for the u16s in his debut Arsenal season, Gaspar spent the vast majority of 2020/21 absent. He then missed the start of the 2021/22 campaign to further disrupt his progress.

Dipping in and out of the team from October to March, the youngster then suffered a further setback and wasn’t involved in any matches from his half-time substitution on March 12th until the end of the season.

Making the move to Watford seemed like the right choice for a fresh start and more consistent minutes.

Though he’s still working on overcoming those injury setbacks completely, the club’s decision to activate his contract extension is a good sign that they have faith in him to do so.