New Watford signing Maduka Okoye is looking forward to playing in the Premier League next season after his move from Sparta Rotterdam was confirmed last night.

The Nigerian has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Vicarage Road and will join up with the squad in the summer after finishing the rest of the current campaign on loan with the Eredivisie side.

Speaking to the Sparta website, the 22-year old said that he was pleased that he would get the chance to properly say goodbye to the Dutch side but that he really wanted to make the move.

"After the game against Willem II, I prepared myself for the international matches in Nigeria, but in the meantime I went to England to meet Watford," Okoye said.

"That went very quickly because I had to join the national team a day later. Of course I am very proud that I can play in the Premier League, but also that I can play at Het Kasteel for our fans until the end of the season.

"Of course I really wanted this, but I also want to close it well with Sparta and that is why this is the best choice."