Watford have completed the signing of Ben Foster from West Bromwich Albion in a deal which ties the goalkeeper to the Hornets until 2020.

The Hornets have the option to extend the 35 year old’s contract by a further year should they wish and are understood to have paid £4 million to secure Foster’s services.

A former Manchester United player, Foster will be familiar to Watford fans having spent two successful years on loan at the club between 2005 and 2007.

His time at Vicarage Road proved to be highly productive as he helped the Hornets gain promotion to the Premier League in 2006 and was named the club’s Player of the Season the following year.

The eight-time capped England international remains a popular figure at Watford and arrives at the club having already made 81 outings for the Hornets.

After his successful loan with Watford he returned to Manchester United before moving to Birmingham City and subsequently West Brom.

It was at the Baggies where Foster really established himself as a number one and he departs the Hawthorns with over 200 appearances under his belt.

For Javi Gracia, the signing of Foster represents an important piece in the jigsaw that is his Watford squad as he looks to replace Heurelho Gomes in goal.

The Brazilian, 37, has resolved to leave the club and with former loanee Orestis Karnezis now at Napoli, a new keeper was of paramount importance to Watford.

Foster’s Premier League experience, coupled with his connection to Watford, means the outlay, while perhaps steeper than Watford would have liked for a player of his age in the final year of his contract, can be seen as a relatively small risk.

Foster becomes Watford’s six summer signing after they announced the arrival of Ken Sema earlier today.