Transfer news: Udinese striker Matej Vydra joins West Bromwich Albion on season-long loan

Matej Vydra scored 22 goals for Watford in the Championship last season (GETTY IMAGES)

Last season’s Championship Player of the Year, Matej Vydra has joined West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan from Udinese.

Vydra scored 22 goals in Watford’s run to the Championship play-off final during the Czech Republic international’s loan spell at Vicarage Road last season. The 21-year-old will train with his Baggies team-mates on Thursday after returning from international duty.

The West Brom manager, Steve Clarke, said of the player: “I’m delighted to welcome Matej to the club.

“He had a really good year with Watford and we believe he’s got the qualities to score goals at a higher level.

“Hopefully, he’ll show that this year with us.

“We had Matej watched throughout last season. As well as some excellent scouting reports, we had some really good feedback from within Watford about Matej as both a player and person.

“I’ve said previously we’re a bit light in the forward areas and Matej will increase competition for places. He’s another good quality striker to add to the other three senior forwards we have here.”

West Brom’s sporting and technical director Richard Garlick, added: “Matej is a player we watched consistently last season due to the level of his performances for Watford and the number of goals he scored.

“We faced a lot of competition for his signature and we’re delighted he has chosen us to make the step up to Barclays Premier League level.

“Matej feels he can be successful here and we believe he will bring a different dimension to our attacking options.

“He’s a clever player, is quick and can play anywhere across the front three positions, or in a slightly withdrawn role.”

Vydra will face competition for places up front with Shane Long, Markus Rosenberg and fellow new signing Nicolas Anelka, who was released by Shanghai Shenhua.