Watford’s preparations for the new season have been dealt a huge blow after Don Cowie dramatically signed for Cardiff City as a free agent this afternoon.

Including Malky Mackay, the influential midfielder becomes the fifth person from Vicarage Road to join the south Wales outfit in a fortnight.

“Our manager made a decision to leave this football club,” chairman Graham Taylor told the club’s website.

“Speaking on behalf of the owner and the board of Watford FC, we are both surprised and disappointed to learn of Cardiff City’s continued advances for this football club’s personnel.

“Don Cowie becomes the fifth person to have joined Cardiff City from Watford this summer – when we add Malky to three members of staff and now a very talented player.

“Let’s hope it stops here.”

As well as losing a prized asset, many Hornets fans will be shocked that Cowie has moved to the Bluebirds on a free transfer because it was a widely held belief that the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle player had agreed a year’s extension to his contract.

Further clarification of the 28-year-old’s contractual position is being sought but Taylor added: “The club has been engaged in the process of negotiating with Don Cowie’s representatives for some months now.

“A clause in his contract meant we guaranteed to offer the player a further year with us once our Championship status was secured.

“A deal could not be struck however, and this is clearly part of the problem when a manager leaves. He takes all the detailed player contract knowledge with him.”

Manager Sean Dyche said: “He’s been fantastic for us here – both as a player and a person off the pitch. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with him.

“We made as good an offer as we possibly could.

“Don’s very well thought of at Watford and I have a huge respect for what he’s achieved for us.”

Cowie scored nine goals in 94 appearances for the Hornets and becomes the third key player to leave Vicarage Road this summer after Danny Graham and Will Buckley.