Watford have completed the signing of French midfielder Pape Gueye on a free transfer from Le Havre.
Gueye, whose contract with the Ligue 2 club expires this summer, will join the Hornets ahead of next season on a five-year deal.
Arsenal and French side Marseille were also interested in agreeing a deal for Gueye, who has been able to talk to clubs over a pre-contract since January.
The 21-year-old holding midfielder made 25 Ligue 2 appearances for Le Harve before the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic. With the announcement on Tuesday that the French season will not resume, Gueye can now focus on beginning his career at Vicarage Road.
Meanwhile, manager Nigel Pearson will stay on until at least the end of the delayed season. The former Leicester manager originally signed a short-term deal until June which has an option to extend by a year, though that has not yet been activated.
