Watford have taken Festy Ebosele on loan for the season from Udinese.

The right-sided full-back or wing-back who is a Republic of Ireland international underwent a medical at London Colney earlier today and completed the move late this afternoon.

The 22-year-old is no stranger to English football, having joined Derby County as a 16-year-old in 2018.

He started playing football as a youngster with Moyne Rangers near his hometown of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, and then signed for League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers when he was 14.

Initially playing for Derby’s Under-18 and Under-21 teams, Ebosele made his senior debut in an FA Cup tie with Chorley in January 2021, and followed that up with three substitute appearances in the Championship at the end of the same season.

The following campaign he made 37 senior appearances for the Rams and scored his first goal in a 1-1 draw at Millwall.

In March 2022, while under restrictions placed upon them by the EFL due to the club being in administration, Derby were unable to offer Ebosele a new contract and he agreed to join Udinese at the end of the season.

In his first season in Italy he made 18 appearances, and followed up last term with 32, including 20 starts in Serie A.

Udinese have played three games this season, and Ebosele has been an unused sub in all of them.

Although born in Ireland, Ebosele’s parents are Nigerian and so he would have been eligible to represent either nation.

He chose to play for the Republic of Ireland, and won caps at Under-16, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels.

In September 2023, he made his senior debut as a substitute in a 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifier in France.

Since then he has made two further substitute appearances for his country.

When it became apparent that Udinese were prepared to allow Ebosele to leave on loan, he was linked with moves to Reims in France and Turkish side Galatasary.

• Udinese cancelled the contract of former Watford striker Isaac Success by mutual consent earlier this week.