Watford sign teenage defender Ben Wilmot from Stevenage

Watford have announced the arrival of teenage defender Ben Wilmot from League Two side Stevenage on a five-year deal.

The 18-year-old had been closing in on a move to the Hornets after holding talks with the club earlier this month.

Wilmot, capped twice at Under-19s level for England, links up with Watford for a fee that is expected to be a club record for Stevenage.

A statement on the Hertfordshire outfit's official website on Thursday evening confirmed their first arrival of the summer, having fended off rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Stevenage used centre-back Wilmot on 15 occasions last season.