Watford have announced they have signed Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu on a five-year deal running until 2023.
Deulofeu spent the second half of last season on loan at Watford and now the Hornets have secured his services on a permanent basis.
Javi Gracia’s side have reportedly shelled out in the region of €15m to re-sign the 24-year-old, completing their first signing of the summer.
“We are very pleased to welcome Gerard back to Vicarage Road and thank FC Barcelona for their part in concluding this deal,” Watford chairman Scott Duxbury told the club’s official website.
“Our ambition to succeed and grow in the Premier League remains as strong as ever.”
Deulofeu only made seven appearances for Watford during the second half of last season, netting once in that time.
Watford supporter will hope Deulofeu has been signed in order to play alongside Richarlison, rather than replace the Brazilian this summer.
Richarlison has been heavily linked with a move away from Watford just 12 months after joining the club.
Former Watford head coach Marco Silva wants to prise Richarlison to Everton, but the Hornets have reportedly made it clear they will block that transfer.
Of Premier League players that started at least five matches last term, only five players completed a dribble more frequently than Deulofeu (every 25.8 minutes of action).
