Watford have signed Abdoulaye Doucoure from Rennes

The 23-year-old midfielder has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at Vicarage Road for what is officially an undisclosed fee, but believed to be a club record deal in the region of £8 million.

As has been expected though, Doucoure will spend the rest of this season away from Vicarage Road and will join fellow Pozzo-owned club Granada on loan.

Hornets chief excecutive Scott Duxbury told the club website: "The opportunity to sign Abdoulaye Doucouré now was one we wanted to act upon, given our long-standing interest in the player.

“He is very much part of Watford’s future plans, and in the time between now and pre-season he’ll be experiencing high-level competitive football in Spain.”

Born in Meulan-en-Yvelines in north-central France, Doucoure played his youth football at Les Mureaux OFC before joining Rennes in June 2007.

The former Under-21 international, who has been capped at every age level from Under-17, scored on his first-team debut in a 2-0 victory at Brest in April 2013.

Since then Doucoure has made a total of 58 league starts, plus 17 substitute appearances and scored 12 goals.

Born in Meulan-en-Yvelines in north-central France, Doucoure played his youth football at Les Mureaux OFC before joining Rennes in June 2007.

The former Under-21 international, who has been capped at every age level from Under-17, scored on his first-team debut in a 2-0 victory at Brest in April 2013.

Since then Doucoure has made a total of 58 league starts, plus 17 substitute appearances and scored 12 goals.

The Hornets were close to signing Doucoure in the summer and the midfielder spoke earlier today about his imminent move to Vicarage Road.

The player becomes the fourth new arrival of this transfer window at Watford following the signing of Nordin Amrabat, Costel Pantilimon and Mario Suarez.