Watford have this afternoon received international clearance for Juan Carlos Paredes which means the Ecuador international is now be eligible for Saturday's Championship opener with Bolton Wanderers.

Paredes has received his visa following his move from Ecuadorian side Barcelona Sporting Club, via Granada, and full international clearance from the Spanish football federation was always deemed a formality by the club.

The 27-year-old joined Watford via fellow Pozzo-owned club Granada to ease the visa process, which can be more problematic in the UK according to club sources.

Paredes joined the Hornets on a five-year contract from Granada on July 16, subject to international clearance.

The right full back, who can be used across the defence, played every minute of his country's World Cup campaign, as they finished third in Group E.

He has spent the whole of his career in his native Ecuador, also featuring for Rocafuerte, Deportivo Cuenca and Deportivo Quito, where he won the league title in 2011.

Paredes has been training with the Hornets since the switch was agreed but has not featured in any pre-season matches.

Ten days ago head coach Beppe Sannino said: "He played at the World Cup so he doesn’t need a lot of training. He is fit.

"Once he has the clearance, he will be ready to play."