Watford have confirmed the signing of 21-year-old Portuguese defender Joao Ferreira on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The fee has not been disclosed, but is believed to be around the £2m mark. Ferreira will be eligible for Saturday’s home Championship game with Blackpool.

Ferreira has spent this season at loan from Benfica to Rio Aves, and has made nine appearances as substitute in Liga Portugal, as well three starts in cup competitions.

Having progressed through the youth ranks at Benfica, he made 20 appearances for their B-team in Liga 2 in the 2020/21 campaign before spending last season on loan at Vitoria Guimareas where he made 18 appearances and scored once.

Capped by Portugal at all age groups from Under-15 to Under-19, Ferreira has spent virtually all his career at right-back but has also played on the right side of midfield and also at left-back.

Speaking before the signing was confirmed, Watford head coach Slaven Bilic said: “He’s a good, talented young player who is mainly a right-sided defender which gives us options. Right now, that is what we need.

“Watford are a club that likes to find strong, young, talented players. This boy is that.”