WATFORD have signed up Richard Lee on a three-and-a-half-year deal. The goalkeeper, who turned 22 in October, had a clause in his contract stipulating a review after a certain number of first-team games.

"We are absolutely delighted that a future prospect has committed himself to the long-term future of the club," said chief executive Mark Ashton.

Said Ray Lewington: "He has done so very well. He is young and can only get better with the experience.

"I must admit, although Kevin Hitchcock always had a lot of faith in him and claimed once he went in, he would stay in the side, I was not so sure. But he has come in and done so very well. It is another important development in the long-term team building."