WATFORD have today signed Birmingham City left back Mathew Sadler.

The 22-year-old joins Watford on a three-and-a-half year deal and will provide Aidy Boothroyd with some much needed defensive cover while Dan Shittu is away at the African Cup of Nations.

A product of the Blues' Academy set-up, Sadler is a passionate and committed left back who has represented England youth at several age groups.

He made his first team debut in a League Cup-tie at Leyton Orient in October 2002 but missed several seasons due to reoccurring injuries but he fought back to earn a recall towards the end of the 2005-06 season.

He made the left back position his own during the 2006/07 season and made 41 starts before putting pen to paper on a new three-year contract in the summer of 2007.

GET SMS ALERTS FIRST AND FASTEST - CLICK HERE