Bangura to stay with Watford

Midfielder granted work permit

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 14th January 2008

Bangura to stay with Watford

Bangura: Granted work permit

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Watford midfielder Al Bangura has been granted the work permit that will allow him to stay in England.

Bangura looked set to be deported to his native Sierra Leone after he was controversially refused asylum in December.

However, he appealed against the decision and a committee of three Home Office officials and three football experts has now ruled in his favour.

The championship club were handed the unusual option of applying for a work permit, and that has now been granted.

"As a club we are very happy with the news, but most of all we are delighted for Al and his family," Watford chairman Graham Simpson told the club's official website.

"We always knew we had a strong case and despite our setbacks we knew we had to fight for what we believed to be right for this young man.

"Al will now continue to contribute to our society, which I know he feels a debt of gratitude towards."