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CONFIRMED: West Brom sign ex-Watford striker Matej Vydra on loan
West Brom have confirmed the signing of striker Matej Vydra on a season-long loan deal from Udinese.
Sunderland had also been interested in a temporary move for the Czech hitman, but West Brom have beaten them to secure his services for this season.
Vydra spent last season on loan at Watford, scoring 22 goals and picking up the Championship player of the year award.
And the 21-year-old - who is owned by Italian side Udinese - has been tipped to be a success in the Premier League by Baggies boss Steve Clarke.
"I'm delighted to welcome Matej to the club," Clarke said on the club's official website.
"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 Ham and Swansea were also interested in Vydra, but never formalised their interest.
And with West Brom failing in their bid to convince former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou to leave France and return to England, Clarke focused his attentions on Vydra.