Javier Acuna joins Watford from Udinese on loan

Championship side Watford have secured the services of Javier Acuna on a season-long loan deal from Udinese.

The 25-year-old was recently on the books of Real Madrid, but following a two-year spell with Girona, he was released earlier this summer.

He has since been signed by Italian outfit Udinese, who like Watford are owned by the Pozzo family.

As a result, the Paraguayan striker has been loaned out to the Hornets, who have been looking for a replacement for Matej Vydra, who spent last season at Vicarage Road on loan from Udinese.

Acuna had previously been linked with Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.