Adalberto Penaranda has returned to Spain to join Malaga on loan for the second half of the season.

The 19-year-old Venezuelan striker joined Watford on a four-and-a-half year deal from Udinese last February, but spent the whole of last season on loan at Granada.

However, he returned to the fellow Pozzo-owned Serie A side on loan at the start of this campaign, but made just six appearances in the Italian top-flight during an injury-disrupted spell in Udine.

The Hornets confirmed tonight that Penaranda had been recalled from his loan at Udinese and he will now spend the remainder of the current season back in La Liga, with the option for his stay to be extended if both clubs agree.

The highly-rated Venezuelan international made 27 appearances for Granada last season and is the first signing made by their eastern Andalucian rivals’ new boss Marcelo Romero.