Watford take Niang on loan for rest of the season

Watford have completed the signing of M’Baye Niang, who has joined the club on an initial loan deal for the remainder of the current campaign.

The France Under-21 international made his name in his homeland with Caen, where he earned a reputation as one of the best young talents in the country. After scoring five goals in 30 appearances in all competitions, he attracted interest from several clubs across Europe including Milan who paid a reported fee of less than £3million for his signature.

During his debut season in Italy Niang became the second youngest goalscorer in Rossoneri history when he bagged at 17 years and 30 days. The forward played 24 times in that campaign, but he struggled to establish himself the following season when he returned to Ligue 1 and Montpellier, scoring four goals in 19 appearances for the club.

Niang was also sent on loan to Genoa during the 2014-15 season, but an injury picked up that summer prevented him from starting the following term at Milan. He did make an impression when he forced his way back into the side, though, and he registered five goals in 16 league appearances before a car accident ruled him out for two months.

This season the 6ft 1in frontman has scored three times in 18 matches, but he has failed to impress head coach Vincenzo Montella who has agreed to loan him to the Hornets for the remainder of the season. The Premier League side have also secured an option to sign the player on a permanent deal in the summer for a fee of £13.5million.

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