Watford sign free-agent Prodl

The 27-year-old centre-half, a free agent after leaving Werder Bremen at the end of last season, has agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League newcomers.

Prodl spent seven years at the Weserstadion and previously played for Austrian side Sturm Graz.

He also has 49 caps for Austria and appeared at the European Championships in 2008.

Prodl is the Hornets' first new signing of the summer, with the deal being completed despite the uncertainty surrounding the managerial situation at Vicarage Road.

Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic is out of contract at the end of June and talks about his future are understood to have broken down.

Instead Watford are expected to appoint former Atletico Madrid boss Quique Sanchez Flores.