WATFORD manager Aidy Boothroyd has swooped to sign Southampton striker Grzegorz Rasiak today (Friday) on a season long loan.

The Poland international makes the move from St Mary's to Vicarage Road in time to be involved in tomorrow's opening home league game for Watford, against Charlton Athletic.

He will train with the Hornets today and will add some much needed competition to the group of centre-forwards from which Boothroyd selects, as he is awarded the number 10 shirt.

Rasiak, aged 29, has signed a year-long loan agreement that includes an option for the Hornets to purchase the forward if his spell at the Vic is deemed a success.

And history says that Watford will have no reason to believe it won't be, given Rasiak's scoring record at this level.

Rasiak in action in the Premiership with Bolton last season

Moving from Groclin Dyskobolia to Derby County in 2004, Rasiak became an instant hero at Pride Park, scoring 17 goals as the Rams made it to the play-offs in May 2005 - playing alongside current Watford favourite Tommy Smith.

The 6'3" centre forward was then propelled into the Premier League courtesy of a £2m move to north London side Tottenham.

After a brief stint at White Hart Lane Rasiak moved to the south coast and Southampton where he has since scored 33 goals in a total of 83 appearances.

Rasiak ended last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers, but will be happy to have found a more permanent home for this season at Vicarage Road.