Watford have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Abdoulaye Doucoure from Rennes on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The fee for the 23-year-old is officially undisclosed, but it is understood to be around £8m, which would be a club-record signing for the Hornets.

However, the midfielder will be shipped straight out on loan to Spanish side Granada until the end of the season.

Watford were initially keen to bring Doucoure to Vicarage Road in the summer, only for the transfer to break down due to personal reasons.