Parma have confirmed Italian midfielder Gianni Munari has joined Watford on loan.

The 31-year-old has joined on a season-long loan subject to international clearance.

The midfielder has spent his entire playing career in Italy. He rose through the academy ranks at Sassuolo and made his debut for the club in 2001.

He spent two seasons with I Neroverdi before departing for Giulianova in 2003 in a co-ownership deal with Chievo.

He spent one year at Giulianova, switched to Chievo and was loaned to Triestina for the 2004/2005 campaign.

He impressed at the Trieste-based club, who signed Munari permanently only to then sell him to fellow Serie B side Verona in 2005.

After a single season with Gialloblu, he moved to Serie A club Palermo.

However, he failed to make a single first-team appearance and was moved on to Lecce in 2007 as part of another co-ownership deal.

He spent four years at Lecce and cemented himself in the side. When his co-ownership deal ended, Palermo purchased the midfielder and sold him onto Fiorentina for a reported €800,000 fee.

But he made only 11 appearances for the Viola before joining Sampdoria at the end of the campaign.  

After only a sole season with Samp, he switched to Parma last summer and played 11 times for the club.

Watford will be Munari’s 11th professional side but his first outside of his native country. 

He will wear the squad number three.