Watford have completed the signing of Antonio Tikvic on a season-long loan from Udinese.

The Watford Observer reported last month that the 20-year-old defender, who has been training at London Colney since the start of pre-season, was set to move to Vicarage Road.

The Hornets have now confirmed the deal and the player told the club website: “It feels very good to sign; I am grateful to be here.

“English football has always been a big part of my life as I grew up watching it, and I can’t wait to get started.”

The left-footed Croatian Under-21 international played the second half of Saturday's 2-0 pre-season defeat at Gillingham, having also featured in the games against Boreham Wood and Stevenage.

The 20-year-old was linked with a potential move to Vicarage Road in January, having joined the fellow Pozzo-owned club from Bayern Munich’s reserve team last September.

After moving to Udinese, Tikvic said: “I see myself as a tactically-astute player. I’m good in possession and I’ve got a great left foot. Despite my height I’ve got good ball skills and I’m quick.”

The defender, who played for St Pauli and Hamburg before joining Eintracht Frankfurt’s academy, began his senior career for Türkgücü München before moving to the German giants.

Capped four times by Croatia’s Under-21 side, Tikvic’s only appearance for Udinese came in an Italian Cup tie.